Clash squeeze
A clash squeeze is a three suit
A 2 | ||
K | W N↑ S↓ E | J 10 |
Q |
The ♠Q is the clash menace. If, when South plays another suit, West can be forced to discard the ♠K, then the ♠Q and the ♠A can be cashed on separate tricks. Notice the presence of the ♠2, a companion that releases the clash menace to be cashed separately from the ♠A. The ♠2 also serves as a simple menace against East, requiring West to retain his clash-menace guard to allow his partner to guard the suit.[1][2]
Clash squeezes were described and analyzed by Chien-Hwa Wang in Bridge Magazine, in 1956 and 1957.
Examples
Here is a simple, positional clash squeeze, with the ♣8 as the clash menace:
♠ | — | ||||
♥ | — | ||||
♦ | J 8 | ||||
♣ | 10 3 | ||||
♠ | — | N |
♠ | — | |
♥ | J | ♥ | — | ||
♦ | 10 9 | ♦ | 7 5 | ||
♣ | 9 | ♣ | 7 6 | ||
♠ | 6 | ||||
♥ | 10 | ||||
♦ | 3 | ||||
♣ | 8 |
South leads the ♠6. If West discards the ♥J, the ♥10 becomes a winner. If West discards a diamond, the ♣3 is discarded and the ♦J and ♦8 are cashed. If West discards the ♣9, South discards dummy's ♦8 and cashes the ♣8. Then the ♦3 to dummy allows the ♣10 to score. Note the presence of the Vise theme.
This is a secondary clash squeeze:
♠ | K 4 | ||||
♥ | — | ||||
♦ | 10 2 | ||||
♣ | 9 6 | ||||
♠ | 7 6 5 | N |
♠ | 9 8 | |
♥ | — | ♥ | — | ||
♦ | 9 | ♦ | 6 5 | ||
♣ | 8 7 | ♣ | 10 4 | ||
♠ | A 3 2 | ||||
♥ | J | ||||
♦ | 8 | ||||
♣ | 3 |
South cashes the ♥J. If West discards a spade, South will make one of his small spades. If West discards a club, one of dummy's clubs will become a winner. And if West discards the ♦9, South cashes the clash menace, the ♦8.
Here is a simultaneous, double clash squeeze:
♠ | — | ||||
♥ | J 3 2 | ||||
♦ | J | ||||
♣ | 10 | ||||
♠ | — | N |
♠ | — | |
♥ | 9 8 | ♥ | 6 5 4 | ||
♦ | 10 4 | ♦ | 9 5 | ||
♣ | J | ♣ | |||
♠ | J | ||||
♥ | 10 7 | ||||
♦ | 8 2 | ||||
♣ | {{{16}}} |
South leads the ♠J and West is clash squeezed. Discarding the ♣J gives up immediately. If West discards a heart, South cashes the ♥10 and ♥7 before crossing to the ♦J for the ♥J. If West discards a diamond, South discards the ♣10 and East is squeezed in the reds.
Finally, here's a non-simultaneous double clash squeeze:
♠ | 10 4 3 | ||||
♥ | — | ||||
♦ | — | ||||
♣ | J 4 | ||||
♠ | 9 6 5 | N |
♠ | 8 7 | |
♥ | J | ♥ | 10 | ||
♦ | — | ♦ | — | ||
♣ | 10 | ♣ | 8 7 | ||
♠ | J 2 | ||||
♥ | 9 | ||||
♦ | J | ||||
♣ | 9 |
This double clash squeeze consists of a clash squeeze against West, followed two tricks later by a simple squeeze against East. South leads the ♦J. West cannot throw the ♣10 because that establishes South's clash menace, and a spade sets up North's spades. So West throws the ♥J. Now South cashes the ♠10 and the ♠J, in that order, to squeeze East in hearts and clubs.
There are other positions, including trump squeezes with clash menaces.
References
- ^ ISBN 978-0-939460-99-1.
- ^ Coups Finesses Squeezes and Other Strategems, Henry B. Anderson, p.182