Thomas Bessis of France has been a rising star in the bridge world for some time now. He was South, in today’s deal, played when he was still a junior.
The opening heart lead was covered with dummy’s jack and won by East with the queen. The spade shift went to West’s king, and spades were continued. Bessis won in hand with the ace and ran the eight of hearts. East chose to duck this, but it didn’t matter. Bessis now missguessed the diamonds by leading low to the ace and running the 10 to West’s queen. West continued with a spade to dummy’s queen.
Bessis cashed the ace of hearts, discarding a club, and cashed his two high diamonds. In this three-card ending, Bessis exited with his low club. West won with the jack but was forced to lead a club into the acequeen. That was nine tricks for Bessis and a beautifully played hand.
Had East won his king of hearts when he had a chance, he probably would have continued spades. Declarer would now cash dummy’s two high hearts, discarding clubs from his hand, and play diamonds by cashing the ace and running the 10. West would win with the queen, but he would have nothing left but clubs and he would have to lead into the ace-queen.
