PP 2nd Final Board 14

[This feature is finally complete, the final 1/2 session is coming out over the next 13 days --FB]

Board 14
Dlr E
Vul None

	♠ J 9 4
	♥ 9
	♦ A 7 2
	♣ K J 10 9 4 3
♠ A K 5		♠ 10 7 6
♥ K 4		♥ A Q J 8 7 5 2
♦ J 10 9 8 6		♦ K 4
♣ Q 8 6		♣ A
	♠ Q 8 3 2
	♥ 10 6 3
	♦ Q 5 3
	♣ 7 5 2

Franco	North	Andy	South
		1♥	Pass
2NT	Pass	4♥	All Pass

2NT was natural & forcing, though next time I'd bid 2♦.  Possibly there was a slower path to 4♥ but I don't think so.

South led the 3rd/low ♠3.  Andy won.  He figured that leading diamonds could make 6, but only if the ace were ducked and both red suits split evenly.  So instead he set about avoiding a diamond guess.  He ran 6 trumps and saw 7 club pitches.  When he cashed ♣A, South pitched the ♠2.  Now he could cross to dummy, eliminate clubs with a ruff, and exit a spade in a position where everyone would be diamond tight.  Had North been able to win the spade, he'd still have a diamond guess, but in fact South had to win and lead one for him.

A well-earned 450, but only worth 8/17.

Brian Platnick related leading a diamond at trick 2.  North flew, but failed to continue spades so he made 6.