Women s crossruff -- one ruff, one cross by Alan Truscott

A dramatic deal from the Women’s Knockout Team final produced interest for the RAMA audience.

N/S Vul. Dealer East.
NORTH
S J 3
H 10 7 3
D 9 6 5 2
WEST C K Q 8 6 EAST
S A K 9 8 S 6 5 4 2
H 6 H A Q 9 8 4 2
D 10 4 3 D K Q 7
C J 7 4 3 2 C -
SOUTH
S Q 10 7
H K J 5
D A J 8
C A 10 9 5

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
1H Pass
1S Pass 3S Pass
4S All Pass

Marinesa Letizia as West found herself in an aggressive 4S contract and received the lead of the club king. She ruffed, cashed the heart ace, and took four ruffs in hearts and clubs. She then took her top spades and reached this ending:

NORTH
S -
H -
D 9 6 5 2
C Q
WEST EAST
S - S -
H - H Q 9
D 10 4 3 D K Q 7
C J 7 C -
SOUTH
S Q
H -
D A J 8
C A

A diamond was led to the queen, and South was helpless whether she won or not. She discovered too late that she should have unblocked the club ace to keep a line of communication to the North hand. And she would have done even better by overcalling 1NT in the first place. When that happened in the replay the bidding ended and South scored 120. That was 11 IMPs for the Letizia team, far more than the eventual margin of victory.