Have you ever stopped to have a long think while playing bridge online, and seen an opponent type the word ‘TEST’ in the chat box? I have, several times, and I’d always assumed it was a sympathetic way of acknowledging that someone has a criticaI decision to make. But when I mentioned this to David Gold the other day, he told me I’d got it wrong – the opponent is checking his screen hasn’t frozen. And most of the time it’s euphemistic – a way of saying, ‘Get on with it!’

I’m sure no world-class player has ever received a chivvying ‘TEST’ – everyone is fully aware that when they take their time, there must be a good reason. On this hand from the Spring Fours, for instance, Andrew Robson (North) paused for ages – then found the only line to make game:

(2♣ showed a sound spade raise.) East led the ◆10 to West’s ◆J and Robson’s ◆A. Robson crossed to the ♠K and played a low club. West rose with the ♣K, cashed the ◆K and switched to the ♥8, covered by the ♥J, ♥K and ♥A. A club to the ♣Q was followed by a long think, and …a spade to the ♠9! Next came the ♣A10 for two heart discards. East ruffed the fourth round and returned a heart. Robson ruffed, crossed to the ♠Q and threw his last diamond on the ♣7. So how did Robson read the position? West had six diamonds. The ♥8 switch, covered by the jack and king, suggested that he held the ♥Q98. As for clubs, a 3-3 break was required to discard red-suit losers. That left West with 1-3-6-3 shape. A test passed with flying colours!

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