In Focus on Hocus-Pocus each bridge puzzle is paired with a chess problem. Here are some examples for you to try.

Bridge puzzle
After South opens with one spade and West doubles, North raises to four spades. Double dummy, an initial lead of a low club would ensure an entry for East to leave declarer with no chance; but in practice this is not feasible. Actually West leads the King of clubs. How should declarer play? Can he survive against best defence now?

Chess problem

 

Colin Boyce v. Cecil Purdy, Australian championship 1926.

Black could have continued 1…b4 2 Ne2 b3 3 Nxd4 bxa2 4 Nb3 Rb8 5 Na1 when Purdy could not see any good plan as the a1 knight blocks the a pawn. What did the many times Australian champion overlook?

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