Economy

by Frank Perkins

Opening lead: ♠K.  North follows suit.
East to make 6♥ against any defense and distribution.

This is a fine illustration of management of scarce resources.  The diamond suit is just barely good enough to guarantee the contract.

Declarer wins the ♠A and two rounds of trumps, then plays a diamond to the ace.  Coming to hand with a third heart, he leads the ♦9, covering the jack if necessary.  If that card wins or either defender takes the king, declarer spreads his hand.  If south shows out on the second diamond, then declarer later takes a proven ruffing finesse through the north hand.  In the other cases, the fifth diamond can be set up and cashed, using spade ruffs and the ♣A as entries.