Questions and Answers
Is AI the answer to all our bridge problems? I wanted to check out just how brilliant AI would be on this opening lead problem, which I recall writing about many years ago. I recall it quite clearly because the opening lead required thinking about how the play would go. I did wonder whether AI would give the answer that was found at the time.
Dealer W Nil Vul
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This was the bidding at the time:
| South | West | North | East |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | 1 | Pass | 1 |
| Pass | 1 | Pass | 2 |
| Pass | 3 | Pass | 2NT |
| Pass | Pass | Pass |
I asked Peter Hawkes to consult ChatGPT (I am an AIphobe!) and this what the answer was:
“AUCTION PICTURE: West has shown clubs twice. East has values in diamonds and then hearts and has then placed the contract in 3NT. Declarer is likely relying on the club length plus outside stoppers to make the contract. The recommended lead is the two of spades. With K10xx the standard No Trump lead is the fourth best, the two of spades. Why not the king? The S2 is the safest, most constructive and gives partner a chance without helping declarer.”
Well it seems that our AI genius was getting there but failed to THINK about the play, something that South at the time did: declarer will play on the club suit but SOUTH has that ace and can hold it up as long as necessary. Dummy’s second suit, spades, will then have to provide the entry for the clubs. But NOT if South can prevent it by leading a spade. WHICH spade? West has BID spades so is much more likely to hold four to the ace than four to the queen, so South must lead the KING. If dummy has both the ace and king, the contract is unbeatable. And if declarer has Qx yes, a trick on the go but the entry is gone. A low spade would be allowed to run to the queen.
Why can AI not think along those lines? That is what we mere mortals should be doing. And should be capable of doing. That is what BridgeQ&A will be about. So ask your questions and I will give you some NON AI answers from my ‘only human’ perspective, right or wrong! Send them to Vil .. villyn@xtra.co.nz
