The Schnapsen Log
By the Process of Elimination (after drawing ♣Q)
Martin Tompa
The only way to win from this position is to somehow arrange to win a trick with ♣T. If you can do that, you will reach 67 trick points.
The only way to win ♣T, in turn, is for Emmi to be forced to open up the club suit. This means throwing her in with a heart. But she still holds a safe exit card, ♦J, so the first order of business is to eliminate that safe exit by leading ♦A. If you do this and then throw her in with ♥J, she will be on lead in this position:
Emmi: (32 points)
♠ —
♥ K
♣ AK
♦ —You: (53 points)
♠ —
♥ Q
♣ TQ
♦ —
Emmi can cash ♥K and ♣A, but eventually she will be forced to grant you the win of ♣T.
© 2013 Martin Tompa. All rights reserved.