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By FRANK STEWART Tribune Media Services

Published: December 17, 2007

"I admit I'm a stickler for grammar," my friend the English professor told me in the club lounge, "but to me, 'A Christmas Carol' lacked the Ghost of Christmas Present Perfect."

The professor was today's North, and South's play at 3NT was way past imperfect. After South won the first trick, he led the ace and a low diamond: A 2-2 break would give him four diamonds, two spades and three hearts.

West showed out, and East won and returned a spade. He won the next diamond and led another spade, and the defense got three spades, two diamonds and a club.

If South were a better declarer (the subjunctive mood is appropriate), how would he play 3NT?

South needs nine tricks before the defenders run the spades. After South wins the first spade, he must cash the top hearts. When East-West follow, South has four heart tricks and can force out the ace of clubs, also winning two clubs, a diamond and two spades. If the hearts didn't break evenly, South would try the diamonds.

South dealer

N-S vulnerable

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