Bridge Answer 1

Bridge Problem 1: Answer

Win the A and play the Q. If East doesn't cover, you have 11 tricks. Assuming East covers, ruff high, draw trumps, cash the A and K, and run the rest of the trumps. West has to hold on to three spades (or else East-West will have to let dummy score a minor suit winner at the end). But which three spades will West hold? This is the position at the tenth trick, before the lead of the last trump:

	North -- -- J5 Q7
West AQJ8 -- -- --		East 104 -- 10 J
	South K95 2 -- --

West is caught in a single-suit squeeze. If West keeps the AQJ, a low spade will force West to give you a trick with the K. If West discards the Q or J, South plays the K and has to score the last trick with either the 9 or one of dummy's winners.