The Schnapsen Log

As the Door Closes (solution)

Martin Tompa

Despite not having many trick points, the first thing to consider at this juncture is always closing the stock, so I considered it. It seemed possible that I could induce Pedro to open up the diamond suit, and perhaps that would mean I could catch the ♦T with my ♦A, so I set about thinking through the details of an elimination play. I would have to eliminate whatever safe exit cards he might be holding in clubs, and then throw him in with a heart.

Let us suppose first that Pedro was holding the critical ♥T I would need to throw him in. I would begin by running both of my clubs. If he followed suit to both club leads, I would be on lead from this position:

Unseen cards:
♠ —
♥ T
♣ —
♦ TQJ

Peter’s cards:
♠ —
♥ Q
♣ —
♦ AK

Trick points: Pedro 27, Peter 47

Since we are assuming for now that he has the ♥T, I will win from this position whichever two diamonds he holds. I throw him in with a heart, after which I must win both diamond tricks. Even if his diamonds are just ♦QJ, I will end with 67 trick points.

Still assuming that he holds the ♥T, he might not follow suit to both of my club leads. If he makes the obvious ♦J discard, I will be on lead from this position:

Pedro: (27 points)
♠ —
♥ T
♣ —
♦ TQ

Peter: (46 or 47 points)
♠ —
♥ Q
♣ —
♦ AK

Now when I throw Pedro in with a heart, I am guaranteed to catch his ♦T and make plenty of trick points.

I know what you are thinking now, clever Hans: if Pedro has only one club, he might make the devious unblocking play of discarding ♥T on my second club, foiling my throw-in. This would leave me on lead from this position:

Pedro: (27 points)
♠ —
♥ —
♣ —
♦ TQJ

Peter: (54 or 55 points)
♠ —
♥ Q
♣ —
♦ AK

It is true that I could no longer throw him in, but his ♥T would give me so many trick points that I could win just by cashing ♦A.

Finally, we come to the situation in which Pedro does not hold the critical ♥T at all, so that the elimination play fails:

Pedro: (27 points)
♠ —
♥ —
♣ QJ
♦ TQJ

Peter: (28 points)
♠ —
♥ Q
♣ TK
♦ AK

I cash both clubs, Pedro following suit, bringing me to 47 trick points. I next lead ♥Q to throw him in, but he discards ♦J, bringing my total to 52. Now I am the one who has to open up the diamonds, but that is fine because cashing ♦A brings my total to exactly 66.

There were many, many possible situations to consider here, but in each one I am guaranteed to score 2 game points. So I closed the stock and proceeded with my plan.

With additional kisses,
your Peter.

© 2014 Martin Tompa. All rights reserved.

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