Positive Defense at Bridge
by Terence Reese and Julian Pottage

Master Point Press, ISBN 1 894154 93 2, US$16.65 from www.masterpointpress.com

This is a revised and enhanced edition of a collection of defensive problems, originally published in 1985. Julian Pottage has made his name by writing on defence and his problems tend to come from actual play, which gives the book a desirable 'real life' feel. Also, I would say that the chosen level of difficulty is about right. I found many of the highly regarded Kelsey quiz books much too hard. Who wants to read a collection of problems and be defeated nearly every time?

The authors state in the Introduction: 'A few of the problems, if you solved them at the table, would win you a prize for brilliance. The vast majority, however, are within the grasp of anyone with a sound grounding in bridge technique and the willingness to spend a few minutes searching for the right play.' It is a fair claim.

See what you make of this problem (in the book only dummy and the relevant defender's hand are presented initially)?

K J 10 4 2   A J   10 6 5   Q J 6     9 3   Q 8 4 2   K 9 3   9 7 4 2   6   K 9 7 6 5 3   A J 7 4   A 10     A Q 8 7 5   10   Q 8 2   K 8 5 3

West	North	East	South
Pass	Pass	1	1
2	4	End

West, your partner, leads the 2. South wins with dummy's ace, ruffs the J, and draws trumps with the ace and king. What will you do when he next leads the 6 from dummy?

If you rise with the A, you will give declarer three club tricks and the contract. You should play low, saving your ace to kill one of dummy's honours. South wins with the club king and plays a second club to the queen and ace, partner completing a high-low count signal. What now?

To beat the contract, the defenders require three diamond tricks. You will need your partner to hold three diamonds headed by the king-nine and must switch now to the jack of diamonds. This is covered by the queen and king. Leap round the table now and take the West cards. What should West do next?

If he plays another diamond, declarer can run the three to the eight (or cover the nine) and lose only two diamond tricks, making the contract. West knows that declarer's fourth club is not a winner and should therefore exit safely with a club. Forced to continue diamonds himself, declarer will go one down. You see what I mean about the 'feel' of the problems? That was a true-to-life deal containing several instructive points.

With Terence Reese on board, it went without saying that the text of the original 1985 book was smooth as silk - a joy to read. The publisher's editor clearly regarded the great man's prose as too succinct and much of it has been reworked. Points that Terence expressed in fifteen words now occupy thirty words. Is the book better as a result? The explanations may be more complete but, to some extent, the Reese magic has been lost. Still, if you find quiz books a useful way to improve your game, I am sure you will be happy with this one.

David Bird

© Bridge Plus 1999-2006