If you counted your winners and elected to defend because you only have 11 tricks, and you can’t set up an extra trick without ducking a spade, go back to the problem and peel off another layer. Think Squeeze.
If you already thought of a squeeze – an easy play if the defenders’ hands were reversed – but rejected it because East would get to discard after dummy was forced to make a choice, go back to the problem and peel off another layer. Think Vienna Coup or “Menace Transfer.”
Okay, now you’ve got the idea: You have to cash the ÍAK immediately, to transfer the menace to the South hand, then knock out ÊA. Since West doesn’t have the high spade to cash, you win whatever he leads and come down to the 4-card ending shown above on the right:
Declarer cashes his last club, and East must throw in the towel!
Í —
Ì AK87
Ë —
Ê —
Í —
Ì 92
Ë 108
Ê —
Í 8
Ì 53
Ë —
Ê 7
Well done ... but you’re not through yet: you backed the wrong horse in this race, because the defense should come out on top! Go peel off the last layer, and think “Squeeze Defense” and“Entry.”
Yes, that’s the final answer. Nobody said you had to lead a diamond at trick 1, simply because it looks obvious.. If instead you start a heart at the first trick, and continue with your other heart when you win ÊA, you will disconnect the North-South hands and the squeeze will not work!