I love Bernard Teltscher. In fact, I proposed to him recently, but he politely declined, saying I was too old for him! He is 92 so I could be forgiven for thinking I was in with a chance. Bernard has sponsored the Lederer Memorial Trophy, England’s premier Invitational Teams’ Tournament, for as long as anyone
Magnus Carlsen has risen to achieve the highest ever chess rating. He ascended to 2872 on the rankings, which compares with 2851 for Kasparov, 2785 for Bobby Fischer and 2817 for Viswanathan Anand, the reigning champion. Carlsen commences his multi-million-dollar challenge for the world chess title against Anand in Chennai on 9 November. Carlsen is
In Competition 2821 you were invited to supply a poem that provides instruction or useful information. This challenge was, of course, a nod to Virgil, whose Georgics, a didactic poem spanning four books, is part agricultural manual, part political poem. Although it was published way back in 29 bc or thereabouts, its lessons can still
Each of two associated words is suggested by four unclued lights (one of two words). Elsewhere, ignore an accent. Across 1 Tending spiders dope rendered legless (11) 7 Letter goblin sent back (3) 11 Scripture lessons unite flock? (6) 13 Obeser bod perhaps in bed infected by acute respiratory disease (7) 15 I
The pairs of anagrams were of countries and their capitals: Dominica & Roseau (2 & 11); Latvia & Riga (20 & 8); Italy & Rome (21A & 35); Algeria & Algiers (27 & 26); Yemen & Sanaa (29 & 31). Title: PURE MAIL (Peru & Lima). First prize Henry Dove, Farnborough, Hampshire Runners-up J.B.
White to play. This position is a variation from Carlsen-Anand, Monaco 2011. White is a piece down here but has a powerful move which destroys the black position. Can you see it? Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 5 November or via email to victoria@spectator.co.uk or by fax on 020 7681 3773. The
