Today's column from John Koch is a memorable one. (And yes; it is memorable beyond the "standard" reason that all of John's columns are worth filing away in our memory bank!) This column represents the 100th bridge article that John has sent to us.
Those of us who have known John for years were always well aware that John was and continues to be one of Minnesota's best. Some may not recall, but John, along with Tony Ames, Mary Egan and Rod Beery won the Senior Knockout Teams in 2004. They navigated their way through quite a formidable field and - although some matches were extremely close - in the end, they were the victors.
Until recently, though, I was unaware of John's talents as a bridge writer. With this tale, we can now add up 100 stories of how to declare, defend, signal, bid, analyze and live to fight on successfully at the table. I am sure that everyone will join me in thanking John for his contribution to our Minnesota Bridge Blog - and truly, to the advancement of everyone's game.
Number 100 is worthy of its classification. John demonstrates what to do to achieve success in a most difficult situation. I will bet that this hand earned John's partnership 100% at the table, too!
John: thanks! We look forward next week to 101.
I alway enjoy John's columns, but he mis-analyzed this play problem badly. He states that he will run the Jack of spades if West doesn't cover. Why risk that, when there is an easy double squeeze that doesn't depend on the position of the spade Queen and the spade Ten.
Clearly West will be under pressure in the black suits when I cash the heart winners, and will be forced to release his spade guard else the entire club suit comes in. Now the Ace and King of clubs will squeeze East out of any spade guard he holds, as he must cling to the heart Jack. Then the spade Jack to dummy's good AK9.
East should release 4 spades and 1 heart as declarer has 13 tricks if he has the spade Queen (declarer has already show the club King in the bidding and if he has a doubleton spade then East is squeezed in the majors). However, declarer still has an obvious double squeeze as long as he leaves the clubs till last.
Posted by: jammen | January 14, 2009 at 02:56 PM