If you are a regular reader of this column — do I have a regular reader who did not actually give birth to me? — you may remember that a couple of weeks ago no one could have felt sorrier for themselves than moi. We had been knocked out of every competition you could think
Sergei Karjakin stormed into an early lead with 4/4 in the elite tournament at Stavanger in Norway, which finishes on Saturday 18 May. Karjakin also triumphed in a blitz tournament (four minutes per player per game) preceding the main event, the results of which were used to determine pairings for the competition proper. Leading scores in
In Competition No. 2797 you were invited to think of the worst possible title for a poem and then write that poem. Oh, for more space! This challenge brought in a large and excellent entry that fizzed with the spirit of McGonagall and McKittrick Ros. I don’t have space to commend all I’d
Twenty 9-letter items form a circular chain in which each item recycles eight of its letters into the next one. Eight of the items are unclued entries, seven are words which must be removed from clues before they can be solved, and five are thematic items. One of the thematic items and one of the
Unclued lights are anagrams of seaside resorts in southern England: Paignton (1A), Seaford (32), Margate (33), Ramsgate (40), Salcombe (7), Ryde (15), Looe (21) and Worthing (22D). First prize Don Thompson, Bolton Runners-up A. Mulholland, Nottingham; Wilf Lewsey, East Leake, Loughborough
White to play. This position is from Anand-Nakamura, Norway Masters. What is White’s best move? Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 21 May 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 hat, and each week I shall be
