The Schnapsen Log

Two Last-Trick Problems

Martin Tompa

Today, as a special bonus for my faithful readers, I’m going to give you two puzzles for the price of one. As another bonus, I will reveal to you that both puzzles have to do with the question of how to win the last trick. The two puzzles bear a lot of similarity to each other, at least on the surface. I made the right play on only one of them when they came up.

Tackle this puzzle first:

Concealed cards:
♠ KJ
♥ AT
♣ A
♦ T

Your cards:
♠ —
♥ QJ
♣ KQ
♦ Q

Trump: ♣J
Stock: Open, 1 face-down card
Game points: Tibor 1, You 1
Trick points: Tibor 13, You 42
On lead: Tibor

Tibor leads ♠K. When you have made your plan, check it against my solution, and then come back here for the second puzzle.

Here is the second puzzle:

Concealed cards:
♠ K
♥ K
♣ A
♦ AKJ

Your cards:
♠ Q
♥ AJ
♣ K
♦ Q

Trump: ♣Q
Stock: Open, 1 face-down card
Game points: Tibor 1, You 1
Trick points: Tibor 24, You 34
On lead: Tibor

Tibor leads ♥K. When you have a good plan, check it against my solution.

© 2022 Martin Tompa. All rights reserved.

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