Puzzles 1 to 10		    MIND BOGGLERS	   by Richard Pavlicek



The ten "Mind Bogglers" in this file are original creations of Richard
Pavlicek and most have appeared in various bridge publications.  These
double-dummy bridge puzzles are not easy!


Bridge puzzles are not for everyone.  If you are trying to improve
your game, the time spent solving bridge puzzles is less productive
than working on bridge PROBLEMS -- note the difference.  The solution
of a bridge "problem" gives you lasting practical benefit, while a
bridge "puzzle" is more of a novelty or fantasy -- in fact, the play
is sometimes so bizarre that it would never occur in practice.


But if you do like puzzles, have I got a store for you!  Try to solve
them yourself, then stump your friends.  The complete solution is
included with each puzzle.


Enjoy!




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Puzzle No. 1     SIX CLUBS IN THE TWILIGHT ZONE    by Richard Pavlicek



The late Rod Serling would have an appeal for this deal, as the
winning play and defense are strictly out of the Twilight Zone.
See if you can make 6 C after West leads the H A.


	S  Q 4 3 2
	H  K 10 5 4 3 2
	D  4 3 2
	C  --

S  --           	S  J 10 9 8 7 6 5
H  A Q J 9 8 7 6	H  --
D  K J 10 9 8 7 	D  --
C  --           	C  8 7 6 5 4 3

	S  A K
	H  --
	D  A Q 6 5
	C  A K Q J 10 9 2


West	North	East	South
1 H	Pass	1 S	5 C
5 D	Pass	5 S	6 C
Pass	Pass	Dbl	Pass
Pass	Pass		


Assume East discards a spade and you ruff the opening lead. After 
drawing all of East's trumps (six rounds!) it looks like your best 
chance is to get West in some kind of endplay in the diamond suit.

No dice. Since you cannot reach dummy, West needs only to cling to 
his diamonds -- he must get two diamond tricks despite the endplay -- 
and the contract will fail. If only you could get to dummy.

Wait a second! Perhaps you could force East to win the sixth round 
of trumps, then he would be obliged to lead a spade to put you in 
dummy. Is that enough tricks? No. The dummy will have only two winners 
(the SQ and H K) so you will still be left with a diamond loser.

Your getting warm!


Solution No. 1   SIX CLUBS IN THE TWILIGHT ZONE    by Richard Pavlicek



The preceding play leaves you just one trick short, but West will 
have a problem discarding. He cannot keep a stopper in both hearts 
and diamonds after the S Q is won in dummy. He will be squeezed and 
forced to surrender another trick for your contract.

For the record the play goes: Ruff the H A with the C 9 (you must 
retain the two) and cash your five top trumps, discarding three hearts 
and two diamonds from dummy. Next unblock the S A-K and lead the C 2 
(discard a spade from dummy) as East must win. The forced spade return 
is won by dummy's queen as West is squeezed in this ending:


	S  Q
	H  K 10
	D  4
	C  --

S  --           	S  J 10 9 8
H  Q J          	H  --
D  K J          	D  --
C  --           	C  --

	S  --
	H  --
	D  A Q 6 5
	C  --


Can the contract be defeated?

Yes, even after the H A lead. And here is the really bizarre: 
East must ruff his partner's H A at trick one. Declarer can 
overruff, of course, but he cannot execute the squeeze play. The 
reason is that he will have an extra trump left in his hand if he 
attempts to throw East on lead; this relaxes the pressure against 
West, and he can retain both of his stoppers in the ending.

Is there a moral here? Good grief, I hope not.


Puzzle No. 2          THE SNOWFLAKE SQUEEZE        by Richard Pavlicek



Like the classic snowflake design, this deal is symmetrical. 
Did you ever wonder who wins in such a layout?


	S  K 3 2
	H  A 6 5 4
	D  K 3 2
	C  A 5 4

S  Q J 10 9     	S  8 7
H  8 7          	H  Q J 10 9
D  Q J 10 9 8   	D  7 6
C  7 6          	C  Q J 10 9 8

	S  A 6 5 4
	H  K 3 2
	D  A 5 4
	C  K 3 2


West	North	East	South
	1 C	Pass	2 NT
Pass	3 NT	Pass	Pass
Pass			


South is declarer in 3 NT with eight obvious tricks, and West can 
lead whatever he chooses. The problem is: Can declarer develop a 
ninth trick against any defense? Clearly, this must result from 
some kind of squeeze position, so the problem could also be stated: 
Can declarer develop a successful squeeze against East or West?


Solution No. 2        THE SNOWFLAKE SQUEEZE        by Richard Pavlicek



Declarer wins. It is possible to develop a squeeze against any 
defense. Assume West leads a diamond. Curiously, this must be won 
with the king -- readers may wish to verify this by trying to 
succeed after ducking or winning the ace. A spade is ducked to West, 
then if West returns:

(1) a diamond, heart or spade, win the D A, HK 
and S K (in any order), then duck a heart to East. If East 
returns, say, a club, win the king then concede another heart 
to East (cashing the H A is optional). A club is ducked, 
and West is finally squeezed in spades and diamonds.

(2) a club (best), win the king. Cash the S K (optional), 
then duck a heart to East. East now has the privilege (or should I 
say predicament) of deciding which of the defenders will become 
squeezed. Thus, if East returns:

	(a) a diamond or heart, win the D A and H K, then concede 
	another heart to East (cashing the H A is optional). A club 
	is ducked, and West is squeezed as in variation 1.

	(b) a club, win the ace, cash the H K (optional), then 
	concede a spade to West (cashing the S A is optional). 
	A diamond is ducked, and East is finally squeezed in hearts 
	and clubs.


What about a different opening lead? If West leads a spade, declarer 
ducks and the play follows one of the above variations except that 
declarer cashes the DK on his own.

If West leads a club or a heart originally, the play (like the deal) 
is completely symmetrical with East interchanged with West, clubs 
with diamonds, and hearts with spades.


Puzzle No. 3         THE OLD INSURANCE PLAY        by Richard Pavlicek



	S  --
	H  K 2
	D  A Q J 8
	C  K Q J 10 9 8 7

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

	S  A K Q J 9 8 6 3
	H  A 3
	D  10 5 4
	C  --


West	North	East	South
4 H	5 C	Pass	7 NT
Pass	Pass	Dbl	Pass
Pass	Pass		


South's bid of 7 NT is surely a desperate move (7 S is more 
sensible), but we have all done worse things at the bridge table. 
East doubles for a club lead (ha), and West leads the H Q.

Which heart honor do you win at trick one, and how do you make this 
contract. Warning! It is harder than looks.


Solution No. 3       THE OLD INSURANCE PLAY        by Richard Pavlicek



The contract looks easy at first sight. Declarer has two top 
hearts, eight spades and at least three diamonds with the finesse. 
But this is an illusion. Declarer cannot win three diamond tricks 
due to entry problems -- the finesse must be postponed until 
the end (else South will be locked out of his hand) and it cannot 
be repeated. If you played out the hand in typical fashion, you 
would discover the annoying ending in the diamond suit.

The solution is to win the opening lead twice -- an "insurance 
play" to guard against losing the first trick. That's right; North's 
king and South's ace are both played at trick one. This sets the stage 
to put pressure on West as the spades are run. The diagram shows the 
ending before the last spade is led.


	S  --
	H  2
	D  A Q J 8
	C  --

S  --           	S  --
H  J            	H  --
D  K 9 7 6      	D  3 2
C  --           	C  A 6 5

	S  3
	H  3
	D  10 5 4
	C  --


When South leads the S 3, West is squeezed. If he throws 
a diamond, the H 2 is discarded from dummy; then the lead 
of the D 10 wraps up four diamond tricks. If West instead 
discards his last heart, dummy throws a diamond; then the 
diamond finesse can be repeated using the H 3 as a 
re-entry to the South hand.


Puzzle No. 4            OVERSOLD OVERCALL          by Richard Pavlicek



	S  K 9 8 4 3
	H  Q J 10
	D  4
	C  J 10 5 4

S  2            	S  Q 10 7
H  9            	H  K 8 7 6 5 4
D  A K J 10 9   	D  3 2
C  A Q 9 8 7 6  	C  K 3

	S  A J 6 5
	H  A 3 2
	D  Q 8 7 6 5
	C  2


West	North	East	South
1 D	Pass	1 H	1 S
2 C	4 S	Dbl	Pass
Pass	Pass		


North's raise to 4 S is a thing of beauty when compared 
to South's carefree overcall. West leads the D K and then 
shifts to his singleton heart (ducked by East). How can the 
contract be made? Warning! This is a tough one.

If you can overcall like South, you will need to overplay like 
a magician.


Solution No. 4          OVERSOLD OVERCALL          by Richard Pavlicek



South can easily win nine tricks by drawing trumps, but a 10th 
trick is elusive. The first thought is to negotiate some kind of 
crossruff, but East's doubleton diamond leads to trouble. Another 
possibility is to endplay West -- not so easy. All routine 
attempts can be foiled by accurate defense.

The only successful line begins in remarkable fashion: The S 9 
(or 8) is led from dummy, East covers with the 10 (best) and South 
must win the ace. That's right! No finesse. Ruff a diamond, win two 
hearts with the finesse, and exit with a low club from each hand. 
If East wins the C K, West can later be endplayed by leading the C J 
and throwing a diamond; so assume West wins cheaply and exits with 
a low club, ruffed by South. This leaves the diagramed ending.


	S  K 8 4
	H  --
	D  --
	C  J 10

S  --           	S  Q 7
H  --           	H  K 8 7
D  A J 10       	D  --
C  A Q          	C  --

	S  J 6
	H  --
	D  Q 8 7
	C  --


South ruffs a diamond with the S8. East must overruff 
and return a trump (else declarer succeeds by a crossruff) on which 
South plays the jack and West is squeezed. If West discards a diamond, 
South can establish a diamond. If West discards a club, the S J 
is overtaken in dummy to establish a club.

Variations: If West covers the S 9 with the queen, the play is 
essentially the same. If West ducks the S 9, South also ducks; 
win two hearts and ruff a diamond (order depends on if East covers 
heart); then a spade to jack forces West to part with a club 
(else diamonds can be set up); exit with a club -- if East wins 
and returns a trump, win in North and lead a club and discard 
a diamond, forcing West to establish another trick for you.


Puzzle No. 5             VALENTINE MAGIC           by Richard Pavlicek



	S  Q 5 2
	H  Q 6 3
	D  A K J 9 8
	C  A 4

S  J 7 6        	S  K 4 3
H  9 8 7        	H  5 2
D  7 3          	D  10 6 5 4 2
C  Q J 10 6 5   	C  9 8 7

	S  A 10 9 8
	H  A K J 10 4
	D  Q
	C  K 3 2


West	North	East	South
	1 NT	Pass	2 C
Pass	2 D	Pass	3 H
Pass	4 H	Pass	4 NT
Pass	5 H	Pass	7 H
Pass	Pass	Pass	


South appears to have mistaken Valentine's Day for Christmas 
in the bidding as his final bid is a little optimistic. Perhaps you 
can save him and find a way to make 7 H. Or at least give 
it a try before you look at the answer.

At first it looks easy. Declarer has 12 top tricks -- five hearts, 
four diamonds, two clubs and a spade -- plus he can ruff a low club 
in dummy for 13. Not true! If you ruff a club, you will be unable 
to win four diamond tricks because the suit is blocked.

Take it from there.


Solution No. 5           VALENTINE MAGIC           by Richard Pavlicek



South has 12 tricks in high cards (or alternatively by ruffing 
a club in dummy at the expense of a diamond trick) so the first 
thought should be some kind of squeeze play. Perhaps East can be 
squeezed since he holds the S K and a diamond stopper. No, East 
will discard after the dummy and it will not work. You probably 
discovered this if you tried it.

The solution is based on a squeeze play, but not the ordinary 
kind. Both opponents are involved in a "double ruffout squeeze." 
The ending is difficult to spot because one of the key elements -- 
North's S 5 -- appears to be insignificant opposite South's 10-9-8.

Win the C K and cash the H K and H J (any two trumps are OK as long 
as you save the queen). Next lead the D Q and overtake with the king. 
Lead the D 9, East covers with the 10 and you ruff. (If East did not 
cover, discard a spade and ruff the D 8 with the H 10.)

Cash the S A (key play) then cross to dummy with the H Q to win 
the rest of the diamonds. Then North leads his last diamond:


	S  Q 5
	H  --
	D  8
	C  A

S  J 7          	S  K 4
H  --           	H  --
D  --           	D  --
C  J 10         	C  9 8

	S  10
	H  A
	D  --
	C  3 2


East must throw a club (else his S K ruffs out), South throws 
his last spade, and West is also squeezed. If he throws a spade, 
North's queen can be led through East to smother the jack and 
establish the five. So West also throws aclub. Now the C A is 
cashed and South is able to win the last trick with the C 3 
(or more poetically with the carefully preserved C 2).


Puzzle No. 6         TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER!       by Richard Pavlicek



	S  J
	H  Q
	D  K 10 6 4
	C  Q J 10 9 8 7 6

S  Q 9 8 6 4 2  	S  10 7 3
H  K 10 6       	H  J 9 7 3 2
D  Q 9 2        	D  J 7 3
C  K            	C  3 2

	S  A K 5
	H  A 8 5 4
	D  A 8 5
	C  A 5 4


West	North	East	South
			1 C
1 S	5 C	Pass	7 C
Pass	Pass	Pass	


North's raise to 5 C is justified, but South's final bid 
seems to be from outer space. The wild stab at 7 C seems 
destined to fail. Even assuming South drops West's singleton 
C K, there appears to be an inevitable diamond loser.

But wait! If West leads a low spade, he gives declarer an extra 
trick. The same is true of a low heart. Further, declarer might 
be able to develop a squeeze if West finds a safe lead.

Against this extraterrestrial contract I say, "Take me to your 
leader!" What is the only card in West's hand that will 
defeat 7 C against any play?


Solution No. 6       TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER!       by Richard Pavlicek



First let's see how declarer is able to make his contract on a 
squeeze. Assume West leads the C K (declarer will drop it anyway). 
Win the C A and lead two more rounds of trumps (optional). Lead 
the H Q to the ace and ruff a heart; lead the S J to the king, 
cash the S A and ruff another heart. This leaves the ending 
in the diagram:


	S   
	H  --
	D  K 10 6
	C  8 7

S  Q 9            	S  10
H               	H  J
D  Q 9 2        	D  J 7 3
C  --           	C  --

	S  5
	H  5
	D  A 8 5
	C  --


North leads the C 8 and East is under pressure. A heart 
discard loses immediately, so assume East lets go his spade; South 
throws a diamond, and West throws a spade. Now the C 7 completes 
a double squeeze: East must discard a diamond; South throws 
his now useless heart, then West is squeezed.

Variation: From the diagram, if East retains his S 10 and discards 
a diamond, the next club squeezes East again. If he throws a spade, 
the same double squeeze develops; if he throws another diamond, the 
D A will drop his jack and West can be finessed in diamonds.

The only way to break up this squeeze position is for West to lead 
a diamond. But which diamond? A low diamond lead is disastrous -- 
North plays low then declarer can pick up the entire suit.

What about the D Q lead? Nope. Declarer can win with the 
king in dummy, ruff hearts twice as before then bring about a 
diamond-heart squeeze against East.

The only lead to defeat 7 C is the nine of diamonds. 
This delicately holds the diamond position, and declarer 
cannot benefit. Try it.


Puzzle No. 7            PHANTOM SACRIFICE          by Richard Pavlicek



This next puzzle is a deal construction problem.  These are
the North-South hands:


	S  A 6 5 4 3
	H  J 9 5 4 3
	D  3 2
	C  2


	S  Q 10 7 2
	H  K 8 7 2
	D  5 4
	C  5 4 3


West	North	East	South
1 C	2 C	2 D	4 H
Dbl	Pass	Pass	Pass


With only East-West vulnerable, North took the liberty to make 
a Michaels cue-bid (showing both major suits). This inspired South 
to jump directly to 4 H -- even if it failed, it would surely
be a great sacrifice bid at favorable vulnerability.

Alas. The post-mortem revealed that East-West could not make any game. 
What are the exact East-West hands?


Solution No. 7          PHANTOM SACRIFICE          by Richard Pavlicek



The only possible East-West layout is shown in the diagram. 
Note that 5 C is defeated with a trump lead; 5 D is defeated 
with the H K lead; and 3 NT is defeated with the S A lead 
(South must unblock the S 7).


	S  A 6 5 4 3
	H  J 9 5 4 3
	D  3 2
	C  2

S  K            	S  J 9 8
H  A 10 6       	H  Q
D  A            	D  K Q J 10 9 8 7 6
C  K Q J 10 9 8 7 6	C  A

	S  Q 10 7 2
	H  K 8 7 2
	D  5 4
	C  5 4 3


As evidence that this is the only layout, consider that East-West 
must hold at least 11 top tricks (five in each minor plus the H A) 
so some kind of blocked position is required to defeat five of a 
minor. If West, instead, had K, A-10-6, A-K, Q-J-10-9-8-7-6, it 
would be easy to make 5 C (ruff a heart).

The spades must be divided exactly as shown, else 3 NT could be easily 
made. Note that any other spade layout gives E-W a stopper.

If the hearts were divided in any other way, 5 C could 
be made -- either by a simple heart finesse; or if East has the 
H A, a side entry to the East hand would give the defenders 
an impossible task.


Puzzle No. 8              CRAZY EIGHTS             by Richard Pavlicek



	S  A 8 5 4 3
	H  6 5 4 3 2
	D  A K 10
	C  --

S  K Q J 7      	S  10 9 6
H  A 7          	H  Q J 10 9
D  J 9 6 5 4    	D  3 2
C  3 2          	C  7 6 5 4

	S  2
	H  K 8
	D  Q 8 7
	C  A K Q J 10 9 8


West	North	East	South
	1 S	Pass	2 C
Pass	2 H	Pass	4 C
Pass	4 D	Pass	6 C
Pass	Pass	Pass	


You may not approve of the bidding, particularly by North. 
Was 4 D a cue-bid in support of clubs? Or was it natural, or a 
waiting bid? In any event it meets my standards for an excellent 
bid: It was sufficient.

This is a "play or defend" puzzle. The question is: Can South 
make 6 C against any defense?

Hint: To get you started, West must lead a diamond. Otherwise, 
declarer could establish dummy's long spade by negotiating three 
diamond entries to dummy. Take it from there.


Solution No. 8            CRAZY EIGHTS             by Richard Pavlicek



South can make 6 C. The first crucial play goes against the 
grain of normal technique: The diamond lead must be won in dummy 
with the king (or ace), then a second diamond is won with the queen. 
(It is impossible to succeed if you win the D Q first.)

South leads four rounds of clubs to reduce everyone to the seven 
cards in the diagram.


	S  A 8 5 4
	H  6 5
	D  A
	C  --

S  K Q J        	S  10 9 6
H  A 7          	H  Q J 10 9
D  J 9          	D  --
C  --           	C  --

	S  2
	H  K 8
	D  8
	C  10 9 8


Next comes the C 10, throwing a spade from North (East throws 
a heart) then:

1. If West throws a spade, win the S A, ruff a spade, and 
lead your last trump. West must throw a diamond (else you can duck 
a heart), North throws a heart, and so does East. When you cross to 
the D A, East is caught in a vice squeeze: He must discard a heart 
to protect the S 8, then a heart lead will establish 
the H 8 as your twelfth trick.

2. If West throws a diamond, lead another club throwing a spade from 
North (West throws a spade, East a heart). Next lead the C 8 (your 
last trump) then:

If West throws a spade, throw a heart from North. Win the S A and 
D A to bring about the same vice squeeze against East.

If West throws his last diamond, jettison the D A from North! 
Now lead the good D 8: West must throw a spade (else you can duck 
a heart) and the vice squeeze appears once again.

3. If West discards a heart, just duck a heart. Note that in 
all variations, West was forced to hold on to A-x in hearts to 
prevent this.


Puzzle No. 9         THE DECLARER REVERSAL         by Richard Pavlicek



	S  A 9 7 5 3 2
	H  2
	D  6 5 4 3
	C  A 10

S  10 8 6 4     	S  Q
H  5 4 3        	H  K J 9 8 7 6
D  Q J 9 8 7    	D  K
C  2            	C  Q J 9 8 7

	S  K J
	H  A Q 10
	D  A 10 2
	C  K 6 5 4 3


West	North	East	South
			1 NT
Pass	4 H	Dbl	4 S
5 H	5 S	Pass	Pass
Pass			


North's jump to 4 H is a Texas transfer to 4 S, 
a relatively easy contract. West's moronic sacrifice in 5 H 
clearly should have been doubled -- but then I would have no 
puzzle -- so assume North takes the push to 5 S.

West leads the H 3 (two, king, ace) and your task is to 
win 11 tricks. Warning: It's tricky!


Solution No. 9       THE DECLARER REVERSAL         by Richard Pavlicek



With 10 routine tricks, the most obvious hope for 11 is to 
develop some kind of endplay against East based on the heart 
layout. If you pursued this angle, you would be frustrated by 
communication pitfalls and the complications of West's trump 
holding. Alas, it can't be done.

The solution involves a spectacular jettison play followed by a 
dummy reversal. (Or maybe this should be called a declarer reversal 
since the hand is already being played from the short side because 
of the transfer bid.)

The key play is to discard the CA on the H Q. Then ruff a heart 
and return to your hand with the CK. (Optionally, you could ruff 
the heart at trick two, return to the C K, and then jettison the C A.) 
Next ruff a club, return to your hand with a trump, and ruff another 
club. (West cannot gain by ruffing in front of dummy, so assume he 
discards each time).  This leaves the diagramed ending:


	S  A 9
	H  --
	D  6 5 4 3
	C  --

S  10 8 6       	S  --
H  --           	H  J 9 8
D  Q J 9        	D  K
C  --           	C  Q 9

	S  J
	H  --
	D  A 10 2
	C  6 5


North leads a diamond, ducked to East. The forced club or heart 
return allows you to make all of your trumps separately. 
The defense is helpless to prevent this.

In all, declarer wins two top hearts, one top diamond, one top club, 
two high trumps in hand and five ruffs in dummy.


Puzzle No. 10               DUCK SOUP              by Richard Pavlicek



	S  4 3 2
	H  3 2
	D  K Q J 10 2
	C  9 8 3

S  A            	S  K Q J 10 9 8
H  A K J 9 7 6 5 4	H  --
D  8 7          	D  6 5 4
C  7 6          	C  J 10 5 4

	S  7 6 5
	H  Q 10 8
	D  A 9 3
	C  A K Q 2


West	North	East	South
			1 NT
3 H	3 NT	Pass	Pass
Dbl	Pass	Pass	Pass


After your routine 1 NT bid, West makes a jump overcall (showing 
a good hand) and partner takes a wild stab at 3 NT. West is provoked 
into a greedy double, and the rest is on your shoulders. Can you 
wrap it around his neck?

West leads the H K and East makes the excellent discard of the S K. 
West accurately cashes the S A (else you have an easy endplay) and 
exits safely with a diamond. Make it.


Solution No. 10             DUCK SOUP              by Richard Pavlicek



Eight tricks are easy, and your thoughts focus on the club 
suit. You cannot develop an extra club trick on your own, but East 
might be caught in an end position.

Suppose you win the D K and lead the C 9 (ten, ace). As you run the 
diamonds, East must discard two spades, then you can endplay him by 
exiting with a spade. Right? Wrong! East cashes his other spade and 
exits with the C J to block the club suit. This is a dead end.

The solution requires an unusual trade-off to rectify the count for 
a squeeze against East. On West's diamond shift, play the ten from 
dummy and overtake with your ace. Cash two top clubs to reach the 
position in the diagram:


	S  4 3
	H  3
	D  K Q J 2
	C  9

S  --           	S  Q J 10 9
H  A J 9 7 6 5 4	H  --
D  7            	D  6 5
C  --           	C  J 10

	S  7 6
	H  Q 10
	D  9 3
	C  Q 2


Now the cute play: Lead the D 3 and duck in dummy to force West 
to win the trick. (Be sure to add this technique to your arsenal; 
it comes up at least once every 98 years.)

West must return the gift with a heart return (an even trade). If 
he elects to cash the H A, East will be caught in a traditional 
club-spade squeeze as the remaining diamonds are cashed.

What if West returns a low heart without cashing the ace? 
Then East is ripe for a delayed-duck squeeze: Declarer can 
establish a spade trick after East comes down to only one spade 
to keep his club stopper.

