Checkback by Opener

You open the bidding with 1♠, and partner responds 1NT.  What do you rebid with the following hands?

(a)   ♠ AQTxxx  ♥ AKxx  ♦ —  ♣ ATx

(b)   ♠ AKJxx  ♥ QT  ♦ KJx  ♣ Axx

(c)   ♠ KQJTx  ♥ x  ♦ AQTxx  ♣ Ax

Didn't like your choices?  Standard methods let you down?  It might have made no difference whether partner's 1NT was forcing.

1. too good for 2♥, not good enough for a game-forcing 3♥, and 3♠ is doubly flawed.
2. looks like a 2NT rebid, but is partner supposed to bid hearts now with a mediocre 5-card suit?  He might even pass 2NT when 4♥ is on.
3. plenty good enough for a game invitation, but a jump to 3♦ would be game-forcing.

The answer is to use Ted's Checkback by Opener.*  Just as some responders use a 2♣ rebid as an artificial force, there is no reason why opener cannot do the same thing.  Of course, as is the case with all conventions invoking a phony 2♣ bid, one does give up the option of playing in two clubs.

The structure is fairly simple:  After 1♥/1♠ and a 1NT response:

2♣ is an artificial game-try or better.  A new suit by opener thereafter is a 1-round force.

      Responder's rebids (in order or priority):

• 2♥ (after 1♠) = 5-card suit (or longer).
• 2 of opener's major = doubleton support, weak hand, no 4-card heart suit after 1♠.
• 3♣/3♦ shows a good suit and is forward-going.
• Other hands bid 2♦ (forcing), allowing opener to complete a description.  Opener's rebid of his suit or 2NT may be passed.

2♦, and 2♥ after 1♠, are natural and non-forcing.

2NT (after 1♠) = precisely 5-2-3-3; otherwise, opener checks for a 5-3 heart fit.

2♠ (after 1♥) is 5-6, 1-round force.

3-level jump-shifts are 5-5, invitational.

Some of these sequences can be further developed to suit your taste.  Most players are averse to giving up a Forcing Notrump by an unpassed hand, but this method could be employed when responder is a passed hand.

* The concept of a forcing 2♣ reopening bid hardly is new, but I believe this suggested structure to be original.