Third- and Fourth-Suit Forcing

North–South have reached a very poor contract. As so often, each of the two players considers that his partner is responsible for the accident. And you, what do you think?

Today we are looking at fourth-suit forcing bids by opener.
→ Easy · ↗ Average · ↑ Difficult

Problem 1 →

The facts

The accident is serious: one down in 3 No-Trump, when the Club slam is lay-down without finesse, even if it can indeed be difficult to reach.

Arguments

North
“2♥ is fourth-suit forcing that neither promises nor denies anything. Your sign-off at 3NT with a singleton Heart makes no sense. You must start by showing Club support with 3♣ in a forcing situation and then we will see.”

South
“Over 2♦, you must show your stoppers: 2NT when you stop both red suits, 2♥ with a Heart stopper and 3♦ with a Diamond stopper. I have only 12HCP, I see no reason to go on an adventure trying for a Club game that requires eleven tricks when I’m sure to take nine tricks in No-Trump when, of course, you stop the Hearts.”