You’re probably going to think I’ve made up this week’s hand. It’s one of those problems you read about in quiz books which rarely occur at the table — and, even when they do, almost nobody spots the dazzlingly imaginative solution till it’s too late. Anyway, this is a real hand, played years ago during
Magnus Carlsen has qualified from the London Candidates tournament to earn a title match against the incumbent world champion Vishy Anand of India. Final scores were as follows: Carlsen and Kramnik 8½; Svidler and Aronian 8; Grischuk and Gelfand 6½; Ivanchuk 6 and Radjabov 4. Kramnik tied for first and in my opinion played better
In Competition No. 2792 you were invited to submit a portrait, in verse, of one poet by another. Gerard Benson wondered if I’d had in mind Richard Greene’s description of Chaucer when I set the challenge. In fact, it was Mallarmé’s pen portrait of his friend Manet — ‘a virile innocence in beige overcoat, beard
The unclued lights are of a kind, verifiable in an entry in Brewer. Solvers are required to highlight an eight-letter headword from this entry in the completed grid. Elsewhere, ignore all accents. Across 8 Tax break (4) 12 Clamour of duchy near to collapse (9, three words) 14 Name-board of excellent eatery cut back
Monty Python’s Flying Circus (38/12/5) gave rise to 1D, 19 and 36/28 which starred 7 and 34 and Eric IDLE (puzzle’s title). First prize Mrs M.C. Conway, Sale, Manchester Runners-up Chris Edwards, Pudsey, Leeds; Margaret Lusk, Preston, Lancs
Black to play. This position is from Gelfand-Carlsen, Fidé Candidates London 2013. What was the key move that enabled Carlsen to make the most of his queenside pawns? Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 16 April or via email to victoria@spectator.co.uk or by fax on 020 7681 3773. The winner will be the
