Bridge. What a heartbreaker. Just when you think all is well with the world you come spectacularly unstuck. OK, maybe a tad dramatic, but it doesn’t feel like it. First we played the Crockford’s semi-final — and lost. Then we played round 3 of the Gold Cup — and lost again. Since then nothing has
As I write, the prestigious Alekhine Memorial tournament is drawing to a close. Brainchild of sponsor Andrei Filatov, this high-powered event is taking place partly in the Louvre in Paris and partly in the Mikhailovsky Palace of the State Russian Museum in St Petersburg, combining Mr Filatov’s twin passions for chess and art. The event
In Competition No. 2795 you were invited to submit a palinode (a poem retracting a previously expressed opinion) on behalf of a well-known poet. We’ve done this before and the results were so impressive I thought we should give it another go. This time round I reluctantly disqualified some extremely funny, well-made poems because
When paired, the unclued lights (one hyphened) are of a kind. Ignore two accents. (The solution at 15D is not listed in Chambers and that at 36D only at its definition.) Across 3 Global popularity of a lecturer in Keele, say (12) 13 Covered pathways badly made inside, unfortunately (8) 18
The unclued lights are the surnames of the London WORTHIES, which had to be highlighted along the top row. First prize Eleanor Parker, Broadstairs, Kent Runners-up Roger Baresel, London SW7; D.G. Page, Orpington, Kent
White to play. This position is a variation from Alekhine-Hofmeister, Petrograd 1917. A typical Alekhine conclusion. A queen down — how does he force the win? Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 7 May or via email to victoria@spectator.co.uk or by fax on 020 7681 3773. The winner will be the first correct
