Try a defensive problem. North's 1NT shows 10 to 12 points. When South booms into slam, you as West lead a low club, for no particular reason: three, jack, ace. Declarer next leads the three of diamonds.

It's your play. At the other table, your teammates stopped at four spades, so many IMPs are at stake.

At the Fall Championships, West played low. When dummy's queen won, South threw his king of diamonds on the ace of hearts and led the king and a third club. His last club was good, and he made the slam when the trump suit came in.

LAST ENTRY

To beat six spades, West must grab his ace of diamonds and lead a second club, killing dummy's entry while the diamonds are blocked. South also loses a club. The killing defense wasn't clear, but West might have figured out South's distribution: Unless South had a heart void, he might have bid 4NT to check on missing aces.

With a non-club lead, South could always succeed. With, say, a trump lead, he could draw trumps and lead a low diamond.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S 6 4 H Q 10 4 D A 10 9 6 2 C 10 6 5. Your partner opens one spade, you respond 1NT and he bids two hearts. What do you say?

ANSWER: To pass is tempting. Your partner has at most 18 points, and if you bid again, you may induce him to get too high as well as miss your better trump suit. Nevertheless, you have two useful honors, and game is barely possible. Your partner may hold A K J 7 2, A K J 5 3, 4 3, 2. Give fate a chance and bid two spades.