Goren bridge: The mighty five

North opened an off-shape one no trump, which did not have much effect on the auction. North-South reached the best game contract available to them. West in today’s deal was Gunnar Hallberg. Hallberg is a native of Sweden, but he has lived in London for many years, playing rubber bridge for the highest stakes he can find. He has made occasional forays into the tournament world with notable success. All the world’s best players know exactly who he is.

Hallberg started by cashing his two top hearts. Not seeing anything better to do, he continued with a third round of the suit. Declarer ruffed with dummy’s jack and discarded a low club from his hand. He led a spade to his queen, losing to Hallberg’s king. Hallberg led a fourth round of hearts. East ruffed this with the five of spades, promoting Hallberg’s trump holding into another trick. Down one after a lovely defense. It would not have helped declarer to ruff the third heart with dummy’s six of spades. If he then overtook the jack of spades with the queen, Hallberg would win and a fourth round of hearts would achieve the same promotion. Should declarer run the jack, Hallberg would duck and South would not be able to get off the table effectively. There is a winning play. South has to win the first round of spades with his ace and continue with the queen. That would prevent the uppercut and bring home the contract.