I do not really claim to know whether forethought has an anatomy. I also cannot guess the real meaning of the phrase ‘anatomy of forethought’ except that this was a pet phrase of one of the top French players, Boulenger. It must have some meaning in French.
N
S = K76
H= J4
D = K763
C = QJ83
W
S = JT3
H = 83
D = QT854
C = K94
E
S = 9852
H = KQ975
D = J
C = AT2
S
S = AQ4
H = AT62
D = A92
C = 753
Bidding
W - N - E - S
__ - P - P - 1C
P - 1D - 1H - P
P - 3C - P - 3NT
This one club opening of South is the extreme case of that silly prepared club openings. However, the point of this deal is in the play. If forethought plays any part then declarer 3NT by South knows that East has less than 13HCP but 5 carder Heart suit and probably more than 10HCP and less than 12 because he passed in first opening. West naturally leads H8 and East inserts H9 and HT of South wins. Needing two clubs tricks South plays on clubs and West winning returns a heart driving out HA and East will now cash 3 heart tricks coming in with CA. Had CA been also with West the game would be cold which proves that counting HCP every time is quite a silly occupation. It is true in this deal that the declarer can allow Easts H9 to hold but then he can not ensure two heart tricks for his contract. In the tournament every body made just eight tricks and those ones were lucky who stayed on 2NT. But this anatomist of forethought made a tricks. Some of the best plays are the simplest. Every fool swears by second hand low. This anatomist on the opening lead looked a few tricks ahead and went up with HJ from dummy and allowed Easts HQ to win. Now you can see that defence can not get more than 2 tricks in hearts and the contract was made. The following is another deal played by anatomist Jean - Michel Boulenger who did not believe in doing the things that just came natural.
W
S = J82
H = QT74
D = KT95
C = KQ
E
S = KQT6
H = K3
D = QJ84
C=A95
North South hand are not known and therefore not shown. North dealer opened the bidding with 1 H and East searching for “the other Major fit” doubled 1 H for take out but the anatomist “knowing” four carder spade and about 15HCP shot straight to 3NT. North led the H5. Can you make the contract? Yes you can but only if like Boulenger you think ahead. If doing what comes naturally you play low from dummy to win the first trick cheaply with HT you are lost. To justify his opening North must have three Aces. The first time he comes in he will lay down the HA swallowing dummy HK and then clear the suit and he still has another Ace entry. Anticipating events win the first trick (not so cheaply) with HK and retain two more heart stoppers and “live happily thereafter.”
