On this deal from the finals, one declarer was able to demonstrate a rare technique, that of using a side suit as a trump substitute:
East led the [H]9 and declarer won with the king and played a spade to the jack, continuing with the king when it held. West took the ace and switched to the [C]9, continuing with the seven when it held. Declarer ruffed in dummy, cake to hand with a diamond and played the queen of spades and a spade to West’s ten. When she proved to have a third club that was one down.
Here too East led the [H]9 and declarer won with the king and played a spade to the king. Taking East’s nine at face value she played three rounds of diamonds and West ruffed as East pitched the [C]10. West’s [C]9 was covered by the king and ace and declarer ruffed the club continuation and played a diamond. West ruffed with the [S[H]10 but declarer overruffed,ruffed a club and played a diamond for a beautifully played ten tricks and 10 IMPs.
In the Rosenblum Gawrys went down by playing a second spade at trick two, while Bocchi was favoured by the lead of the [C]A.
In the Rand, both NS pairs reached 3NT by North. Both East’s, who had bid their clubs, saw fit to lead the [C]Q and declarer was home
