Absolute Gem of A Hand

Pages: Page 4 of 5

Dealer: East
Vuln: E-W
Scoring: IMPs
  1. spadeQ J 8 6 5
  2. heartK 10 7
  3. diamondA J 4 2
  4. club4
  1. spadeK 4 2
  2. heartA J 9 8 6 3 2
  3. diamond—
  4. club10 7 3
club diamond heart spade NT
N - 3 - 1 1
S - 3 - 1 1
E 2 - 3 - -
W 2 - 3 - -
Green square in centre
  1. spadeA 9 7
  2. heart5 4
  3. diamond8 7 5 3
  4. clubA Q J 9

Contract: 4heart
Declarer: East
Lead: diamondK
  1. spade10 3
  2. heartQ
  3. diamondK Q 10 9 6
  4. clubK 8 6 5 2
Double dummy analyser: makeable contracts
West North East South
1NT* Pass
2diamond~ Pass 2heart Pass
4heart End

* ostensibly 12-14
~ transfer

This is an absolute gem of a hand - a real wolf in sheep's clothing. East was a fine player who had represented Great Britain and England on many occasions, but on this deal his superficial analysis was found wanting. After cashing heartA at trick two he switched his attention to clubs in order to keep a tempo ahead in the race to avoid a spade loser. When a finesse of clubQ lost to the king, South switched to a spade and no matter what declarer did now the contract was bound to fail. North twice ruffed clubs and was able to cash a spade winner. Do you see declarer's mistake?
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