BRIDGE

Declarer topped the jack of diamonds with the ace and led a spade to the king followed by another to the ace. When both defenders followed suit, he could claim the grand slam, N-S +2220.

North employed Stayman and then rebid three hearts (Smolen) revealing five spades and four hearts. South then disclosed three-card spade support and North launched into Roman Keycard Blackwood to ask for controls (spades agreed). He continued with 5NT to ask for kings when the reply promised three controls.

Since South held all three side-suit kings, he advanced to the major suit grand slam. North quickly converted to the highest scoring contract because he could count thirteen tricks as long as the spade suit was worth five tricks.

South would still be in with a remote chance of success when West showed out on the second round of spades.

He would require East to own both minor suit guards where a triple squeeze would bring home the contract. In this scenario, South would play off the king of diamonds and run the hearts crushing East.

Questions can be sent with a stamped, self-addressed envelope to The New Canadian Bridge c/o Torstar Syndication Services, One Yonge St., Toronto, M5E 1E6