The Schnapsen Log

The Tale Ends (solution)

Martin Tompa

The first thing to consider, when following to the last trick before the stock is exhausted, is ducking. The card to discard is ♣T; even though it gives Tibor a whopping 20 trick points for this trick, the ♣T is a loser that Tibor will surely collect later anyway. This leaves Tibor on lead from the following position:

Tibor: (48 points)
♠ K
♥ J
♣ AQ
♦ T

Martin: (21 points)
♠ AQJ
♥ —
♣ —
♦ QJ

The best Tibor can do from this position is to begin forcing me to trump by leading ♥J:

Tibor: (48 points)
♠ K
♥ —
♣ AQ
♦ T

Martin: (26 points)
♠ AQJ
♥ —
♣ —
♦ J

From here it is critical that I force Tibor myself, by leading ♠A followed by ♠J. This removes Tibor’s last trump and leaves me with the only remaining trump. Tibor can take no further tricks, so even though I cannot reach 66 trick points, I will win the last trick and 1 game point.

Could I possibly do better than 1 game point by trumping Tibor’s ♥T? No. Unless I happen to draw ♦T from the stock, I will lose the deal. Even if I draw this lucky card, I will only win 1 game point.

I am certain that I did not have the foresight and maturity to duck Tibor’s lead when I was 12 years old, but I am certain I could do it now, if we were to play this deal in my fantasy setting.

© 2014 Martin Tompa. All rights reserved.

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