This may sound odd, given its male-only membership, but the Portland is one of my favourite bridge clubs. I’m one of many women who are invited there regularly (in fact, I can claim to be the first woman to have played at its new premises in London’s St James’s Square), and we’re always welcomed with
The exciting American grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura compensated for his somewhat lacklustre performance in the London Classic section, held at Olympia just before Christmas, with an overwhelming victory in the Rapidplay arena. The top final scores were Nakamura 9½ and Giri 8½, while those on 8 included Kramnik, Caruana, Anand and Short. By its very nature,
In Competition No. 2880 you were invited to provide a publicity blurb for the Bible to sell it to a modern audience. Kieran Corcoran presents Jesus as a social media sensation — ‘He used to have 12 followers but now he has TWO -BILLION!’ — and Derek Morgan pitches the Good Book as the go-to
The unclued lights (one of three words and two of two words), individually or as a pair, are of a kind. Across 5 Bit of tiffin is hardly perfect (6) 12 Fail to see active service (5) 13 Waistcoat cloth that’s not in ablutions (8) 16 Beer mug in
First prize Roly Harris, London N1 Runners-up Michael Collins, Petts Wood, Kent; Clare Reynolds, London SE24; Tony Mouzer, Shard End, Birmingham Additional runners-up G.E. Bell, Hexham, Northumberland; Hugh Dales, Dysart, Fife; J. Caldwell, Winster, Windermere; Jenny Staveley, Kingsdown, Bristol; H.V. Machin, Gateford, Nottinghamshire; Lorraine James, Llanwrda, Dyfed
White to play. This position is a variation from Williams-van Wely, London Rapidplay 2014. How can White bring his kingside attack to a successful conclusion? Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 20 January or via email to victoria@spectator.co.uk. The winner will be the first correct answer out of a hat, and each week
