Page 21 - ABF Newsletter February 2026

IMPROVE YOUR DEFENCE
with Ron Klinger
Solution to problem on page 2
SEEK AND YOU WILL FIND
1. Teams, dealer North, North-South vulnerable.
]72 [742 }KJ8
{ A Q 10 3 2
After the }7, won by the }K, and the ]7, run to the ]Q, Michael Whibley (West) switched to the [5!: two - king - six. Nabil Edgtton (East) returned a diamond. West ruffed and the ]A gave East-West +200.
At the other table, Sartaj Hans (South) opened 1] in third seat and competed with 4} later:
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH pass pass 1] 2[ 2] 3[ 4}
4[ dbl all pass
Andy Hung (North) led [2!: eight - six - three. De- clarer played the {5: seven - jack - queen. North returned the [4: king - ]6 - [5. West continued with the {6: ]8 - {K - {A. North persevered with the [7, won by the [J. Declarer finessed the ]Q, but could not avoid losing a third club trick and a diamond. That was one down, North-South +100 and 7 imps to HANS, who won the match by 144-132.
You can find more of Ron Klinger Bridge in The Sydney Morning Herald on Saturdays and The Sun-Herald on Sundays.
The Real Deal Workout with Ron Klinger
Now available at: www.ronklingerbridge.com
Bridge questions and answers emailed to you and featuring deals from actual events, local and overseas.
Details and samples available on the website. To subscribe, please contact:
suzie@ronklingerbridge.com
]AQ3 [AQ1053 WN E }7S {KJ94
WEST
2[
dbl
1. Takeout.
NORTH pass dbl 1
all pass
EAST SOUTH pass 1] 4[ 4]
West leads the }7: king - five - ten. Declarer plays the ]7: five - six - queen. What would you play as West at trick three?
*******
The deal comes from the Round of 16 in the 2024 Soloway Knockout Teams:
Board 52, dealer North, North-South vulnerable.
]72 [742 }KJ8
{ A Q 10 3 2
]AQ3 ]54
[ A Q 10 5 3 [ K J 8 }7 }6543 {KJ94 {865
] K J 10 9 8 6 [6
} A Q 10 9 2 {7
West needs to find an entry with East in order to re- ceive a diamond ruff. Where can that entry be?
Australian Bridge Federation Ltd. Newsletter: February 2026
Page: 21