A world champion I'm related to by marriage was impressed by this heist pulled off by declaring master Zachary Grossack (South), now 18-year old Mr. Grossack, currently attending Tufts as a freshman and a member of 2015 U26 USA-1 formerly known as the Kaplan team.
Opening lead: ♠Q
Trick 1: ♠Q, 2, A, 7
Trick 2: ♦8, A, 3, 7
6♣ starts with 10 top tricks if the ♣ suit breaks no worse than 3-1. Two ♠ ruffs for 12 tricks are possible if the ♠ suit is divided 5-3 or there is no overruff.
Zachary leads the ♠8 to trick 3. When West, Benjamin Bomber, plays low, Zachary runs the ♠8! It holds.
Zachary then caches one top ♣, ruffs his ♠9 with the ♣Q (East showing out), caches his ♥AK pitching ♦ losers then finesses to pick up the ♣Tx on his right to bring home the contract.
The swindle at trick 3 was crucial to making the contract because otherwise either East can overruff the second ♠ ruff or if the second ♠ is ruffed high, trumps cannot be drawn.
Next: the full deal.
The complete play and commentary (Open Room Hand 7):
