Bridge: How to plan the play

I opened one no-trump, showing 12-14 points. (Yes, this was a slight underbid; it would have been reasonable to call this a 15-point hand.) Since we were not using transfer bids, Disley employed Stayman, then optimistically raised two spades to four spades. (Of course, if he had invited with three spades, I would have gone on to game.)

West led the club queen. How did I plan the play?

With three top losers, at first glance, I needed the heart finesse to win. But then I saw a much better line. I won the first trick on the board and called for the diamond jack. East rushed in with the ace and returned a club (not that it mattered).

I won on the board, played a diamond to my king, and led the spade queen. Now West erred by playing her king. East groaned while winning with her ace and led another club, but I ruffed, drew the missing trump, and claimed an overtrick. Dummy’s heart loser went on my diamond queen.

Afterward, I looked at the other results. At every table, North made two spades with only one overtrick. Perhaps all of the Easts led a heart at trick one, but I doubt it.