NEIL HAYWARD BRIDGE

Opening Lead: ♠6. East plays the ♠Q. What is your plan?

Recommended Line: You could win the first trick, and play on diamonds, hoping West holds the ♦A. If so, a further spade lead gives you a second spade trick. However, if East holds the ♦A, a second spade lead means they probably make four spade tricks plus the ♦A. So, who holds the ♦A? Well, it appears West started with five spades headed by the K, and, if holding the ♦A plus three or four points in hearts and clubs,

West might have overcalled 1♠. Since this did not happen, East is likely to hold the ♦A. Follow the clues, and duck spades till the third round to break communications.