An elimination play with loser on loser

This deal happened in last second qualifying in the National Women's Bridge League Cup, 2018, the highest level women's bridge competition in China.

Board 5
Vul: NS
Dealer: North

North East South West
Pass Pass 1♢ 4♣
X Pass 4♠ AP

Lead: ♣A

Trick North East South West
1 ♣T ♣6 ♣9 ♣A
2 ♡T ♡A ♡6 ♡3
3 ♢A ♢T ♢2 ♢K

West leads the ♣A and then shifts to ♡3. East wins with the ♡A and returns ♢T! Quite amazing shift... How to play now?

4♣ shows West holds 8 clubs. After drawing 3 round trumps, West discards 2 clubs. It is obvious that West might be 1-3-1-8 or 1-2-2-8. After running ♡, West follows 2 small ♡ which exposed all the distribution. 1-3-1-8 for West. Now the endplay becomes interesting. Assuming that ♢3 is played from the table, the contract is icy. If East follows 9 or 6(they are the same), the declarer could win with the ♢J and throw ♣Q to West, discarding a small ♢ on table(loser on loser). West has to return ♣ only. If East wins with the ♢Q, ♢9 will be finessed in next turn and ruffing ♣Q will be the entry to table. That's why ♢3 must be played rather than ♢8 and why not eliminating the ♣ just eliminating trump and heart only. East follows ♢6 carefully on the table, saying whatever you do the contract will down one...

The full deal
Board 5
Vul: NS
Dealer: North

Comments

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