Here’s a bridge tip you won’t read about in any book — one which the world-class pro Gunnar Hallberg gave me the other evening during a game of social bridge. You’re declarer, and a suit is led. Let’s say dummy has a holding like 8643 in the suit, and you can see at once that
Memory is vital in chess, not least because modern opening theory has expanded in such a daunting way. I was, therefore, interested to observe the results of the UK Memory Championship which took place last month at the London Science Museum and resulted in victory for Katie Kermode. In the course of the championship Katie
In Competition No. 2762 you were invited to leap on to the latest literary bandwagon and submit an extract from a racy retelling of a classic work of literature. There was a finely calibrated mix of gusto and restraint in the entry and I regretted not having space for Alan Millard’s saucy Great Expectations (‘“Es-Tel-La,”
One clued light is suitably dressed having taken notice of the title. By extension, all the unclued lights would be, if they took the same precaution (and would then be confirmed in Chambers). Ignore two accents. Across 7 US battle giving quiet backing to spring festival (6) 12 Dava Sobel’s novel is
First prize Cheryl Bacon, Hitchin, Herts Runners-up Dr Simon Shaw, Goosnargh, Lancashire; Michael Smith, Aldershot, Hampshire
Black to play. This position is from Khudaya-Hou Yifan, Cheliabinsk 2007. Black has already sacrificed a piece here. What is her idea? Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 11 September or via email to victoria@spectator.co.uk or by fax on 020 7681 3773. The winner will be the first correct answer out of a
