A Defensive Problem
The current situation
QJ109x
Q
--
xx
Axx
x
--
KQ10x
Answer:
Declarer can be placed with a 1-3-5-4 distribution. (Or possibly 0-3-5-5.) Declarer probably would have attacked spades if he had the king. (Or, with a singleton king, declarer would have at least to lead to the king at trick two.) So partner has the king of spades. (Partner has also signaled liking spades when he discarded on the third round of hearts.)
Every other spot card has to go to declarer for him to have just 11 HCP. Anyway, there is no danger if declarer does not have the jack of clubs. (And the play in clubs strongly suggests that declarer has solid diamonds.
So you are pretty close to double dummy. Assuming a spade in declarer's hand,
QJ109x
Q
--
xx
Kx Axx
-- x
xxx --
xxx KQ10x
x
--
QJ10
AJxx
The danger is this. If you play the king of clubs, declarer can win the ace, cash his diamonds, and then exit in spades. You will cash two spades and end up giving declarer his eighth trick with the king of clubs.
To prevent this, you have to cash the ace of spades. (If declarer shows out, this was unnecessary but did not hurt.) Then you lead the king of clubs. Declarer wins the ace, wins his diamonds, but then must lead a club, giving you two clubs tricks to set the contract.
If declarer lets your club king win, it gets trickier. What do you do now?
Answer
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Squeeze-Trim-Endplay: Trump as a Control
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