Evariste – The Seven of Diamonds
Evariste selected his name out of respect for his hero, the French Mathematician Evariste Galois (1811-32) who, as a staunch republican in royalist times, was no stranger to trouble. While in prison for wearing a banned republican uniform he contrived, in typical Gallic fashion, to fall in love with the daughter of the prison physician, one Stephanie-Felice du Motel.
Unfortunately Stephanie had a fiancée who was not only opposed to the republican movement but was also a superb shot. After being challenged to a duel for Stephanie's affections, Evariste spent the hours before dawn writing out the mathematical theories for which he is remembered today. Unhappily… his skill as a duellist did not match his mathematical talents.
Inside the cupboard, the Diamond Seven had four loves; ladies, bridge, champagne and revolution. The last two of these, rebellion and alcohol, frequently went together. Whenever the wine flowed he would urge his friends to, "Throw off the shackles of monarchy, and let us become an egalitarian collective."
At this point his audience would glance nervously about for Ghengis and Boudicca and in placatory tones remark that, unless one card outranked another, bridge would be terribly confusing.
| Cleopatra | |||
| ♠ Q8 | |||
| ♥ 106543 | |||
| ♦ 54 | |||
| ♣ 8532 | |||
| Hippo | Freud | ||
| Evariste | |||
| ♠ KJ109765 | |||
| ♥ 2 | |||
| ♦ AK7 | |||
| ♣ Q7 | |||
Game All, Dealer East
| West | North | East | South | |
| Hippo | Cleopatra | Freud | Evariste | |
| 1♦ | 1♠ | |||
| Dbl | Pass | 2♦ | 2♠ | |
| Dbl | All Pass | |||
There is an ongoing debate (still unresolved) within the pack as to whether West's second double is penalty orientated or just asks partner to compete.
Hippo led the six of diamonds to the four, eight and ace.
Before reading how Evariste tackled the hand, take a moment, or indeed several, to consider what you would have done. Those needing a hint should bear in mind Confucius' saying, "Always look a Greek gift horse in the mouth."
In my book there are three principles that can be applied to any endeavour. They are, preparation, preparation and preparation. Though, like my Gallic counterpart, I would make an exception for "matters of the heart" where spontaneity can make life, oh how do you say? "Intéressant!"
First thoughts are that this looks promising. I've one trick in the bag, six sure trump tricks and king of diamonds to come. And to top it all - a diamond ruff for an overtrick. It looks as though East or West might have misunderstood the second double.
Second thoughts are that I'd better take extra special care on this one. Maggie and her handbag would never forgive me if I messed up a doubled contract. Obviously the trump tricks are secure, so the only concern is that Hippo might ruff the diamond king.
Third thoughts are that that's not so unlikely! West's negative double shows length in hearts and clubs, and the fact he didn't raise diamonds suggests he has a shortage there. Which means a 4441 shape with a singleton diamond is a distinct possibility. If that's the case – can anything be done I wonder?
Say I play trumps now - West will duck the first round, win the second with the ace – then, after giving East the lead with a club or heart, he'll guillotine the Roi de Diamant with a ruff.
Another idea is to aim to ruff the seven of diamonds in dummy. No, that's no good – West will trump the king and play ace and another spade to scupper that plan. Mon Dieu! This is turning from a triumph to a disaster.
A bizarre thought has just popped into my head. Since playing trumps or the king of diamonds might cost the contract, would it help to play the seven now?
Say the opponents win and play two rounds of spades, I can draw the outstanding trumps and cash the diamond for eight tricks.
And if they don't remove dummy's spades, after I regain the lead, I can trump the diamond king – over-ruffing West if needs be. True, Hippo can ruff the king with the ace, but that will be with his sure trump winner.
Merveilleux - playing the diamond seven at trick two guarantees the contract against any distribution and defence.
The full deal:
| Cleopatra | |||
| ♠ Q8 | |||
| ♥ 106543 | |||
| ♦ 54 | |||
| ♦ 8532 | |||
| Hippo | Freud | ||
| ♠ A432 | ♠ - | ||
| ♥ KJ87 | ♥ AQ9 | ||
| ♦ 6 | ♦ QJ109832 | ||
| ♣ AJ106 | ♣ K94 | ||
| Evariste | |||
| ♠ KJ109765 | |||
| ♥ 2 | |||
| ♦ AK7 | |||
| ♣ Q7 | |||
Evariste scored a valuable gain for his team, but his thoughts had already moved on, as he asked, "Cleo, mon cheri, as today's Bastille Day, would you care to join me for some Champagne and maybe some oysters?"
"I thought Bastille Day was the 14th of July, not the 3rd of June," commented Cleo.
"Shush," he smiled, "the oysters don't know that."
Mike Chanter
This sequence of articles was written and conceived by Mike Chanter.
Mike has been a member of Suffolk for a long time despite no longer living in the county and retaining his connection by being an associate. He still has many friends in Suffolk and returns from time to time to play in local events. He would be delighted to hear your impressions of Bridge in the Cupboard.