I am tempted to cheer when I come across an outstanding bridge play.  I was reading the report of the world championship Venice Cup in Bermuda, year 2000, and came across this delightful play by Canada’s Francine Cimon playing the East hand.
 

Board 16                         NORTH
Dealer West                  ª 10 8 7 2
East-West Vul               © 4 2
                                        ¨ Q J 8 3
                                        § 6 5 3
   WEST                                                      EAST                  
  ª Q J 5 4                                                 ª A K 3
  © 10 8 6 5                                               © A Q
  ¨ A K 7                                                    ¨ 9 6 5 2
  § 4 2                                                        § A 9 8 7
                                       SOUTH 
                                      ª 9 6
                                      © K J 9 7 3
                                      ¨ 10 4
                                      § K Q J 10

 

  West            North           East           South
  Pass             Pass          1NT             2©
  3©                Pass          3NT///       
 

      East (Cimon) opened 1NT.   Encouraged by partner in spite of South’s spade overcall she went for the 3NT game.

South led  clubs three times, Cimon holding off her ace until the third round.  She could see eight top tricks (four spades, one heart, two diamonds and the just-taken club ace), and had a potential finesse for the heart queen.  Before reading on, think about how you might play out the deal?

Hints: (1) the heart finesse is not going to work; (2) there is only one club outstanding.  Need more? (3) South overcalled hearts.

After winning with the club ace, Cimon played two top diamonds then two top spades; exiting with her fourth club.  South had nothing left but hearts, so was forced to play a heart into Cimon’s A-Q.  Lucky? When South followed suit twice in diamonds and spades, there were only five cards left in each hand, so South had nothing left but her hearts.  Cimon had the full count and the end play was certain.  A routine play for Cimon, but for the rest of us?