The Squeeze-Trim-Endplay: Hand

This is a hand from actual play, contributed by Nigel Guthrie. This is from a university competition in the 60's.

Qxxx
AKxx
Q432
x

AKxx
10
A965
AJxx

The contract was 6. The opening lead was the 10. Declarer won the queen of clubs with the ace, then ruffed a club, Righty following with the king. This strongly suggests that clubs were 6-2. Declarer now led a diamond to the ace, and Lefty played the king. This strongly suggests a singleton king.

Now what?

You are up to 11 tricks, if you get a 3-2 spade break. You can place a lot of cards, so you can make a good decision about where your 12th trick is going to come from.

If you could ruff one more club, you would be home, but Lefty will overruff. If you could ruff two hearts in your hand, you would be home. But you don't have the entries to do that. No doubt there are strip squeeze possibilities too.

But the squeeze-trim-endplay against Righty is guaranteed (assuming a 3-2 trump break), and you know the diamond position, so you cannot misguess the ending.

When you play four rounds of spades, you come down to:

--
AKxx
Q43
--

--
10
965
Jx

The J now squeezes Righty. If a diamond is pitched, you set up your long diamond. If Righty saves 3 diamonds, then Righty's other two cards are hearts. You trim them and lead a small diamond to endplay Righty in diamonds.

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