Bidding and Defense Dilemma

Board 2 has South opening 1NT 15-17 balanced.

North has immediate visions of slam in D's, S's or NT.

How to proceed?

Obvious firsts steps are to transfer to spades, showing a 5+ card suit.

Then North could bid 3D to show a second suit, 5-4 shape.

South sensibly signs off in 3NT. Nearly all pairs making 12 tricks.

Suppose North takes control and asks, finding 1 ace and king missing.

Now 6NT and 6S look suspect.

As it happens 6NT makes because West doesn't lead a heart.

An important question for the defense, is how to ensure a heart lead?

West leading the QH brings a top board whether defending 3NT or 6NT.

How does East tell West to lead a heart from Qx?

Answer: somewhere early in the bidding East must show hearts, how?

The only slam making is 6D, on any lead. How to get there?

Strong partnership will find 6D easily, despite missing an ace and king.

South must support diamonds by raising 3D to 4D.

This gives North the confidence to carry on to 6D.

We are ever hopeful of getting the bidding and defense perfect.

We just keep on trying.