12 tricks would be easy if the trumps split 2-2, and there were plenty of extra chances. A 4-3 spade split would let declarer establish the long spade for a club discard and a club could then be ruffed. South won the opening diamond lead with his ace and cashed the ace and king of hearts. South ruffed his last spade with dummy’s last trump, led a club to his ace and another club to dummy’s king. South had taken the first 12 tricks.

Source: The Hindu May 08, 2021 10:48 UTC