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Puzzles have declined in popularity over the years, so this column appears only occasionally. Usually, it will feature intriguing questions, clever solutions, or an unusually noteworthy instance of one of the classical forms, such as double-dummy, inferential or construction puzzles.
by Howard Sard
Assuming best play on both sides, construct two deals such that the interchange of one card of the same suit between partners results in the largest possible difference in the number of tricks that can be taken by one side, (a) at notrump, (b) with spades trumps.
Solution
(a) 12.
| NORTH
 K Q J 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3
 --
 8
 2 |
WEST
2
7 6 5 4 3 2
7 6 5 4 3 2
-- | |
EAST
A
--
--
A K Q J 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 |
| SOUTH
--
A K Q J 10 9 8
A K Q J 10 9
-- |
South is declarer at notrump; swith spade ace and deuce.
(b) 9.
| NORTH
6 5 4 3
--
9 8 7 6
10 9 8 7 6 |
WEST
K Q J 2
A K Q J 10 9 8 7 6
--
-- | |
EAST
A
5 4 3 2
5 4 3 2
5 4 3 2 |
| SOUTH
10 9 8 7
--
A K Q J 10
A K Q J |
South is declarer at spades; switch spade ace and deuce.
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