THE Scandinavian countries have, over the years, produced a number of brilliant players and while I have never played against the current star, the brilliant Ger Helgemo, one who always impressed was PO Sundelin. 'Po', as he is known, is a wonderful reader of the cards and this was shown to great effect in the following hand.

Dealer ¿ West.

N/S Vulnerable.

North

" 7 5

10 4 2

A 5

K Q J 7 5 4

West East

" K Q 9 3 " A J 8 4

A 9 6 5 K J 8

K 8 3 Q J 2

8 3 10 9 2

South

" 10 6 2

Q 7 3

10 9 7 6 4

A 6

West North East South

Carruthers L. Weiss Sundelin F. Weiss

1 Pass 1" Pass

2" Pass 4" Pass

Pass Pass

South found the effective lead of the ace of clubs, then continued with a club when his partner encouraged. North won the continuation and exited passively with a third club, ruffed in the dummy.

Sundelin drew trumps and tried the diamond jack, not quite believing North would have the ace. Nevertheless, North won and played another club, ruffed by declarer. Sundelin then cashed the king and the queen of diamonds. As unlikely as it seemed, North had started with:

" 7 5

? ? ?

A 5

K Q J 7 5 4

Feeling it impossible for him to hold the heart queen in addition to these solid values and have been silent during the auction, Sundelin played the heart jack from hand. This was covered by the queen and won with the ace on the table. A heart to the eight saw him home with plus 420.

Notice the careful hand reconstruction and the commitment to the play.

Once Po decided that North could not have the heart queen the only hope was for him to have the ten ¿ and so it proved!

Great play!!