Jacob Bronowski, the mastermind behind the extraordinary "Ascent of Man" series, said, "Knowledge is an unending adventure at the edge of uncertainty."

In bridge, though, sometimes knowledge will allow someone to play with certainty - as in this deal. How should South play in three no-trump after West leads the spade queen?

South saw that he had seven top tricks: two spades, two diamonds and three clubs. It looked so easy to establish the extra two winners in diamonds. So, after winning the first trick with his spade king, he cashed the diamond ace ... and suddenly the contract was unmakable.