Puzzle This

If you can set up dummy’s spades, they’ll provide a valuable source of tricks. The problem is that entries to the dummy are rather limited, especially if you draw three rounds of trumps. If trumps are 4–1, you’re going to need a miracle to make it, so assume they’re 3–2. How to proceed?

Win the opening lead in your hand and play another trump, but be sure to play low from dummy, leaving the ace on the board for a later entry. Next, play the ♠K and overtake with the ace. This looks wasteful at first, but it actually allows you to untangle the spade suit. Continue with the ♠J, discarding a club (or a diamond) if East doesn’t cover. If West wins the ♠Q, you will soon regain the lead, cross to the ♥A, drawing the last enemy trump, and run three more spades for 10 tricks: five hearts, four spades and the ♦A. If East covers the ♠J (see the diagram), you ruff, cross to the trump ace and run the spades. Again, you have 10 tricks.

Watch your entries, and avoid automatically drawing trumps until you have a plan.