Bridge

Cy the Cynic's least favorite holding is a K-Q doubleton -- not because the value of the honors is diminished (which it is, to be sure) but because he associates that holding with marriage, an institution he disdains.

"Give me a hand with a K-Q doubleton," Cy told me, "and I'll be sure to goof it up." Cy was declarer at today's four hearts. North's 2NT was a conventional forcing heart raise, and Cy's three diamonds promised shortness in diamonds. North knew his diamond honors were wasted and signed off at game.

West led a trump, and when Cy saw dummy, he turned pale. He took the ace of trumps, led the king of diamonds and threw a spade: a loser on a loser. West won and returned a diamond, and Cy discarded a club on the queen.

The Cynic next took the A-K of clubs, ruffed a club, led a trump to dummy and returned a spade. Alas, the defenders got three spade tricks for down one.

"When I saw that K-Q doubleton, I knew I was doomed," Cy said.

Do you see a way to assure 10 tricks?

Cy was distracted by the marriage in dummy. He would make the game if the K-Q were low diamonds. Cy should ruff the king of diamonds at Trick Two, lead a trump to dummy and ruff the queen of diamonds. He then leads a low spade.

Say East wins. A club shift will ruin the defense, so East leads another spade. Cy plays low. West can take the queen and ace, but Cy's king is good for his 10th trick. This play makes the contract no matter how the East-West cards lie.

South dealer

Both sides vulnerable

NORTH

S 6 4 3