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Some auctions require science; others just instinct. This deal falls into the latter category, but the play requires some deeper thought.
Bidding
Dealer: South
Game All
South took East’s aggressive intervention as a positive: the more values East held in spades, the fewer her partner would hold there. Dummy was pretty good — the doubleton diamond allowing for a club discard regardless of the position of K♦ — but how should South play to bring home her ambitious contract?
The key is to realise that the bidding suggests weird distribution, with West likely to hold length in the minor suits, so a club ruff is very likely to be required. Indeed, if the diamond finesse loses, two clubs may have to be trumped. If declarer attempts to draw more than one round of trumps, West can defeat the contract by leading her third heart when in with K♦, leaving dummy with too few trumps to achieve the necessary ruffs.
To succeed, South should ruff West’s spade lead, and play a trump to dummy’s K♥. Now the diamond finesse should be taken. It loses and West may continue hearts. However, now, declarer is in control. ♦AQ can be cashed and dummy’s third club discarded. Then, ♣AK can be played and spades and clubs cross-ruffed for a fabulous 12 tricks.
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