OK, Guv. It’s a fair cop. I admit it. I’ve been feeling a squidgen smug of late. I’ve been playing rather well — even though I say so myself. My team has been successful. We have prospered. I smiled sympathetically when others told me their tales of woe, thinking, ‘That used to be me.’ I
Entries are now being invited to what I believe to be the world’s finest open tournament held at the Caleta Hotel in Gibraltar over January and February next year. I attend as often as I can and the atmosphere and general camaraderie exceed anything I have experienced elsewhere. Brian Callaghan, the spiritus rector of the
In Competition No. 2771 you were invited to provide a rhymed witch’s spell to bring someone or something either good or ill. Most of you were in cursing mood (though Katie Mallett provided a welcome ray of sunshine: ‘I would cast a spell for happiness…’). Targets included nuisance callers, Bill Gates, leylandii, Downton Abbey and
9 is now the home of the remaining unclued lights, individually or as a pair. Ignore all accents both in the grid and the clues. Brewer confirms the theme. Across 1 Control diarist meant to arrange (12) 10 Manager’s department. Not half (4) 12 York’s situation around hospital, costing you nothing (10, three words) 14
The unclued lights are railway stations in London (1, 20 and 37), Birmingham (2/36 and 11), Bristol (6A/7), Manchester (16/38 and 19) and Edinburgh (30). First prize Jenny Atkinson, Chorleywood, Herts Runners-up I.F. Bush, Ealing; Mark Humble, London SW3
White to play. This position is a variation from David Xu–Michael Basman, Simultaneous 2012. White has a quite remarkable winning move here. Can you see it? Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 13 November or via email to victoria@spectator.co.uk or by fax on 020 7681 3773. The winner will be the first correct
