Late in the final of the Soloway Teams at the Fall NABC, Marty FLEISHER trailed MESSIKA, a quartet of unknown (to me, at least) French players by an imposing 21 IMPs.

In today’s deal, North-South for FLEISHER reached 3NT after MESSIKA’s East opened a featherweight one diamond. West had to pick a lead and might have reasoned that since East had clearly opened a lightish hand, he probably had a good suit. Moreover, a case always exists for leading a suit your partner bid: If it turns out badly, you can fuss at him for bidding a scrawny suit. But if you don’t lead his suit when it would’ve been best, he will fuss at you.

But West tried the deuce of spades. Declarer put up dummy’s jack, set up the clubs and had nine tricks, plus 400. The lead of the king of diamonds, or any lead except a spade, beats 3NT.

In the replay, the auction started the same way — East opened one diamond again! — but North did not support the clubs. East bid two hearts and played there, making for plus 110 and 11 IMPs to FLEISHER, tightening up the match.

Tomorrow: the outcome.

Daily question: You hold: ? Q 10 5 2 ? 9 7 3 2 ? K 3 ? K J 2. Your partner opens one club, and the next player bids one diamond. What do you say?

Answer: You could respond one heart, showing your major suits “up the line” in approved fashion, but you can show both suits at once: Make a negative double. You promise enough strength to respond, with four cards in each major. If you held Q 10 5 2, Q 9 73 2, K 3, K2, a one-heart response would be correct. With Q 10 8 52, J 9 7 3 2, K 3, 2, you would respond one spade.

West dealer

Neither side vulnerable

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