On the other hand it has to be seen how far this practice is going to generate interest in developing bridge institutions. Surely the medium of Internet affords ample opportunities to play the game with all categories of people on computers sitting at home. Only the time to come will decide about promoting bridge environment in each country.
In Pakistan also, it has been observed, that the tendency is gaining momentum to play competitive bridge on Internet. Many players indulge in this practice as pastime with convenience associated with it and some incline to devote their time for serious competition with ranking international bridge players. One of such examples was reported by Sarfraz Ahmed Khan, a high ranking and promising young bridge player who has quite many achievements in national and international bridge to his credit.
He was the member of the team, which won the Asia and Middle East Youth Championship in 1999, and member of national team to represent Pakistan for open world championship.
In this particular deal he played on Internet in partnership with a Dutch international player Merijn, Sarfraz reached a grand slam contract with intelligent bidding with complete understanding that gave the partnership an edge over the other pair to score match-winning points. The interesting hand that was played by Sarfraz showed complete understanding in bidding between partners, which could only succeed in making the contract only by applying double squeeze.
(1) Modified Roman Key Card Blackwood 0 or 3 key cards.
(2) Asking Bid For Trump Queen.
(3) Confirming Queen of Trump suit and King of Clubs.
In spite of marginal opening hand with broken spade suit Sarfraz pursued the bidding encouraged by hearing partner's jump bid showing a strong hand inviting the opener to bid beyond game level. So he stretched the contract, optimistically, to bid grand slam.
WEST LED HEART Q:
When the dummy came down Sarfraz took a long time to plan his play. Because did not seem to be breaking favourably and he might have ruff the suit at least twice. In that case the trump suit should behave 2-3 to ensure the contract, otherwise there was no hope of success. Keeping the odds against in mind, there was a glimmer of hope if he could apply a double squeeze.
According Sarfraz proceeded with the play. After winning the lead with the ace of hearts, he played spade ace and came back to hand with diamond ace and ruffed small heart in dummy and then played the queen of spades that showed a bad break of trump suit for which he was prepared. However keeping cool moved another diamond to the king in hand and ran the trump suit.
On the last trump both East and West were in a precarious position for discard. If the West discarded the queen of hearts, the declarer would discard small club from the dummy and if the West discarded a club he would discard the jack of hearts from the dummy. So also the East was in a fix, if he discarded the king hearts the declarer's Jack of hearts would win the thirteenth trick.
Thus Sarfraz brilliantly played for successful double squeeze and made the grand slam contract, which appeared at the outset a dicey proposition in the face of inadequate strength and adverse distribution of cards.
GOLDEN TIPS:
Double squeeze a tactical manoeuvre requires careful count of opponent cards for success.
Dealer North:
Both side vulnerable:
North
A Q3
A
J 9762
A KQ10
West
10862
Q
Q 1054
8532
South
K J975
J 8753
AK
7
East
4
K 109642
83
J 964
The bidding:
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North East South West
Maritn RHO Sarfraz LHO
ID Pass Pass Pass
3C Pass 3H Pass
3S Pass 4NT Pass
5D(1) Pass 5H(2) Pass
6C(3) Pass 7S Pass
==============================