Bridge | 25 May 2024

We all pause to think when playing, but – let’s be honest – it’s usually as basic as re-capping the bidding or counting points and distribution. When great players stop to think, you just know they’re on a higher plane, probably contemplating things that wouldn’t occur to the rest of us. But what? Luckily, when they’re good friends, you can simply ask. During the recent European Transnational Championships, David Gold made an intriguing play which I later quizzed him about (see diagram).

*Hearts and a minor. South led the ◆5. David won with the ◆A, and played ♠A and another spade. South won and exited with a diamond. David won with the ◆Q, cashed dummy’s ♥A, ruffed a heart, crossed to the ◆K, ruffed a heart, and exited with a spade. South switched to the ♥J. David ruffed and now came the big decision: who held the ♣K? Eventually, he ran the ♣7 to North’s ♣J, and when North returned the ♣2, he played the ♣9.