Shocking Auction

(I read the following piece in Tricks of the Trade by Terence Reese and David Bird. I was shocked first by the auction and then by the article's comment on it. I reproduce it here for your pleasure.)

Sometimes the defenders try to obscure the picture that declarer is trying to build. The French star, Paul Chemla, emerged the victor of such a struggle on this deal:

Chemla's protective call of two hearts was a characteristic thrust. Most player would have re-opened with a double but Chemla was no doubt keen to protect his king of diamonds should the hand be played in hearts.

West led a spade to the jack and ace, and Chemla, from his modest base, set out to draw trumps. West played the 10 and dummy's queen won. When the trump ace was cashed, West followed with the jack, hoping to persuade declarer that he had started with K J 10 alone.

Chemla would have none of this. Placing West with four trumps for the double, he turned his attention to the clubs. West let all five rounds pass, refusing to ruff, but was then thrown in with one of the trumps he had been treasuring. He had to concede a trick to declarer's ♦ K, bringing Chemla's total to nine—two trumps, five clubs, a spade and a diamond.

‘You bid a three-card suit headed by the 4?’ queried North.

‘It was the only way to make game, partner,’ Chemla explained.