‘It’s a sad day when I don’t get to re-double anyone,’ the England international Mike Bell said to me the other day, after I’d complimented him on how often – and effectively – he pulls out the red card. Most players are far more trepidatious when it comes to making penalty doubles and redoubles. Mike
‘OK, there is a body with a knife there, and the police come and say nothing happened… You have to find who, why, what, but it happened, don’t pretend that it didn’t happen!’ Vladimir Kramnik deployed that analogy about the world of online chess, which he sees as riddled with cheating. Cheating happens. Once in
White to play. Magnus Carlsen-Ding Liren, Norway Chess 2024. Ding’s last move, 29…Rb6-b2 was a blunder allowing a quick checkmate. What did Carlsen play? Email answers to chess@spectator.co.uk by Monday 24 June. There is a prize of £20 for the first correct answer out of a hat. Please include a postal address. Last week’s solution
In Competition 3354 you were invited to put yourselves in the shoes (or head) of a tech billionaire. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Elon Musk provided the most inspiration. Paul Freeman had him intent on world domination: That bozo Bezos and schmuck Zuck will serveas jesters to my court. They’ll daily tastemy food in case some traitor has
The twelve unclued lights comprise six symmetrically placed ‘split atoms’. Across 5 Fruit devastation, not the first linked to difficulties (8) 10 Disregard Italian bloke, shunning introduction (6) 11 Adherent of government line disheartened only celebs (8) 12 Tea offered by curt Cromwellian? (4) 14 White metal club 37 holds (6) 18 Cunning son, extremely
The unclued lights formed a map of France, with nine cities in roughly appropriate places. First prize Clive Rose, Henley on Thames, Oxon Runners-up Tim Locke, Ainsdale, Southport; Belinda Bridgen, London NW8
