North AK6 QJ10973 97 53   West 9752 8642 2 J974   East Q83 K5 AQ1086 K108   South J104 A KJ543 AQ62

Dealer: East Vul: Neither E S W N 1 P P 2 P P 3NT P P P     Opening lead: 2

Answer: The only way to beat the hand is to rise with the A and shift to the Q. Declarer needs two entries to dummy -- after the heart A is unblocked. By returning the Q at the second trick, dummies entries are attacked early and declarer cannot establish the heart suit and cannot come to more than eight tricks: three spades, a heart, two diamonds, and two clubs.

If East ducks the opening lead or wins and returns any card other than the Q, declarer will cash the ace of hearts, go to a high spade, and play hearts, setting up the suit. Declarer can't be kept from taking eleven tricks.

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