AQ8 3 A3 Q987542
		J1092 AJ72 K1054 10

South	North
1	2
21	32
3NT	4
Pass

¹ 2 was forcing and suggested a minimum, but did not require more than five spades.

² 3 could be short; 3 or 2NT would not be forcing.

Partner leads the 5, I win with the Ace, declarer follows with the Eight, and I stop to take stock.

Dummy has bid his hand very aggressively, looking for a slam with only three spades and such a bad long suit, but they have landed on their feet. Since this is a long team match, my goal is to try to beat the contract. With trumps breaking poorly, that looks possible if I can kill the club suit. If declarer has six spades, we probably have no chance because declarer has a heart trick, the Q, and a club honor for his opening bid. He will get five trumps, a heart, two diamonds, one club, and a ruff for ten tricks. More likely, however, is that declarer has only five trumps, which will give him 5-3-3-2 shape. He has either the K or the QJ, the Q, and the A, plus one of the black Kings, but not both. Exceptionally, he might be missing the A and have the J as well as both black Kings.

If I tap dummy or exit passively, he will be able to draw trumps, knock out partner's club honor (which is expected to be doubleton) and make easily. Is there anything I can do?

Yes. After trumps are drawn, the only entry to dummy's club suit is the A, so if I remove it the club suit is dead. I shift to the K, knowing that this might give away a trick, but expecting it to come back with interest. If declarer lets it hold, I can continue and knock out the Ace anyway, so he wins the trick, misjudges trumps (I was wearing a shirt commemorating ``The Short Life of the King of Clubs'') squirms around for a little while and finally concedes down one. My Merrimac Coup hit below the waterline as evidenced by the complete hand:

	AQ8 3 A3 Q987542
K Q9654 J876 J63		J1092 AJ72 K1054 10
	76543 K108 Q92 AK

K