A different path

Today’s woody is from a caller squad match. South was American adept John McAllister. At the different table, six clubs by North failed by 2 tricks aft a bosom lead. The affable diamond presumption would springiness McAllister the tricks helium needed, but a diamond finesse done the pre-emptor is not for the anemic of heart. McAllister made it without the diamond finesse.

The 10 of spades could person won the archetypal trick, but McAllister won successful manus with the ace to sphere an introduction to dummy. A nine to the king held the trick, truthful McAllister led a diamond to his ace and different club. East won and led a diamond – different accidental for the diamond finesse - but South roseate with his king and led a spade to dummy’s king, spurning different imaginable finesse. This was the position:

McAllister ran dummy’s clubs. On the past club, East discarded the queen of diamonds to support his bosom stopper. McAllister discarded a debased heart, keeping the jack of diamonds, and yet took a finesse – the bosom finesse – and claimed his slam erstwhile that held the trick. Nicely played!