After ♦ 6, ♦ 2, you as East should play ♦ 9, retaining ♦ AQ to beat dummy’s ♦ J10, restricting declarer to one diamond trick ( ♦ K). Erroneously play ♦ A, and declarer can subsequently lead dummy’s ♦ J for a finesse of your ♦ Q, securing two diamond tricks.

There was a similar position in the club suit on this slam deal from the recent Bermuda Bowl quarterfinal in Lyon between USA 1 (favourites for the trophy) and dark horses Bulgaria.

The Bulgarian West led the five of clubs in response to East’s lead directing double of 5 ♣. Dummy played low and East played third hand high, the ace. He returned a second club, hoping West could ruff.

The USA declarer Bobby Levin won the king of clubs, drew trumps finishing in dummy and led the jack of clubs for a ruffing finesse. East covered with the queen, declarer ruffing. Declarer cashed the ace of hearts, ruffed a heart and led the promoted ten of clubs, discarding the queen of diamonds from hand. Twelve tricks and slam made.

Try making 6 ♠ if East refrains from playing the ace of clubs at trick one, instead inserting the eight, retaining his ace-queen-nine to beat dummy’s jack-ten-seven (don’t try too long — you can’t). After winning his king, declarer cannot generate a second club trick and must fall back on the diamond finesse (low to the queen). With West holding the king, that’s down one.

Although the USA won a handsome swing by making 6 ♠ on this Bulgarian misdefence, it was Bulgaria who won the match 239-226 and advanced to the semifinal.