The Washington Post - 23.08.2019

FRIDAY, AUGUST 23 , 2019. THE WASHINGTON POST EZ RE C5

BREWSTER ROCKIT: SPACE GUY! TIM RICKARD

CURTIS RAY BILLINGSLEY

SHERMAN’S LAGOON JIM TOOMEY

RED AND ROVER BRIAN BASSET

FRANK AND ERNEST TOM THAVES

RHYMES WITH ORANGE HILARY PRICE

LIO MARK TATULLI

HAGAR THE HORRIBLE CHRIS BROWNE

BLONDIE DEAN YOUNG & JOHN MARSHALL

MIKE DU JOUR MIKE LESTER

AGNES TONY COCHRAN

WUMO MIKAEL WULFF & ANDERS MORGENTHALER

MARK TRAIL JAMES ALLEN

MOTHER GOOSE & GRIMM MIKE PETERS

BALDO HECTOR CANTU & CARLOS CASTELLANOS

SALLY FORTH FRANCESCO MARCIULIANO & JIM KEEFE

CLASSIC PEANUTS CHARLES SCHULZ

CLASSIC DOONESBURY GARRY TRUDEAU PICKLES BRIAN CRANE

SUDOKU

NORTH

 7 6

 A K 3

 7 6 5

 A J 4 3 2

WEST

 A Q 9 4 2

 10 7 6 2

 J 8 4

 Q

EAST

 10 8 3

 J 9 8

 K Q 9

 10 9 8 7

SOUTH (D)

 K J 5

 Q 5 4

 A 10 3 2

 K 6 5

The bidding:

“W

e dispense with

accuracy.” — slogan

on a marquee outside an

apothecary

Inaccurate play isn’t

always punished — some-

times the bridge gods are

merciful — but it was in

today’s deal. Against 3NT,

West led a low spade: six,

10, jack. Declarer knew that

West sat behind him with

the A-Q, and if East got in to

return a spade, the contract

might fail.

So South planned to

attack the clubs to keep East

from winning a trick if possi-

ble. Instead of finessing with

the jack, South would take

the K-A, guarding against a

doubleton queen with East.

But when South took the

king of clubs next, West

played the queen. East was

sure to get in with the fourth

round of clubs, and down

South went, losing four

spades and a club.

South’s play was slightly

off. He should lead a low

club at Trick Two. When West

plays the queen, dummy

plays low, and South is safe

for nine tricks. (If West is sly

enough to play the queen

when he holds Q-x, thus sav-

ing an overtrick, good for

him.)

DAILY QUESTION

You hold:

 7 6  A K 3

 7 6 5  A J 4 3 2

You open one club, your

partner responds one spade,

you bid 1NT and he jumps

to three clubs. What do you

say?

ANSWER: The answer

depends on your partner-

ship’s style. If partner’s jump-

preference in your minor suit

is invitational to game, pass.

You have no extra strength.

If instead his second bid is

forcing, bid three hearts to

suggest strength in that suit.

Discuss system with your

regular partner.

N-S VULNERABLE

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1  Pass 2  Pass

2 NT Pass 3 NT All Pass

Opening lead —  4

BRIDGE

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— Frank Stewart