This deal from Round 20 might easily be overlooked:
When partner opens 1[D] you respond 1NT and then bid 3[C] over partner’s 2[D]. When partner raises to 4[C] you decide, despite the void in partner’s suit to go on to game.
North leads the [C]2 and this is what you can see:
That’s a very annoying lead, as after anything else you would have been able to pitch a spade on the [D]A and give up a heart, intending to ruff two hearts in dummy. When you play dummy’s [C]6 South covers with the [C]Q. That’s another blow on the same trick, as otherwise you could have played to establish dummy’s diamonds, perhaps even emerging with an overtrick. Having taken the trick with the [C]A do you see any chance?
Chile’s Marcelo countered the tremendous opening lead found by Switzerland’s Michal Nowosadzki by continuing with the [H]Q! It was brilliant example of avoidance play, hoping that an opponent would hold the [H]AK but not the missing trump.
This was the layout:
