Anyone who plays bridge competitively knows how stressful it can be. If you wonder how world-class players cope, you should read The Art of Becoming a Top Bridge Player by Samantha Punch. Sam is not just a Scottish international, but also a professor of sociology. She interviewed scores of well-known names on topics ranging from
For the irrepressible Hans Niemann, August is no time to chill. The 21-year-old American grandmaster began the month by defeating his compatriot Wesley So by 13-10 in the quarter-final of the Chess.com Speed Chess Championship. He gave a vitriolic interview after the match, railing against the ‘chess establishment’ and those he perceives as trying to ruin
White to play. Maghsoodloo-Nepomniachtchi, Fide World Rapid Team Championship, 2024. Maghsoodloo found a beautiful winning sequence here. What was his first move? Email answers to chess@spectator.co.uk by Monday 26 August. There is a prize of £20 for the first correct answer out of a hat. Please include a postal address and allow six weeks for
In Competition 3363 you were invited to write a poem about holidaymakers from a local’s perspective. Thanks to Paul Freeman for this suggestion. There was a lovely crop of entries and once again there were too many runners-up to single anyone out. The winners get £25. We hates and needs,Waters and feedsAnd sates the greedsO’
Clockwise round the grid from the square between 3 and 4 run the names (forename and surname) of four eminent victims (7,8: 5,8: 6,7: 5,6) of a deadly 7 who left us this year. 26 gives the 7’s forename and 32 is a synonym of his surname. Across 8 Dramatic Duchess of Cornwall, say,
As suggested by 23A’s quotation revealed at 34D/28A/19A, the perimeter contains six different sharks. First prize Janet Burke, Peterborough, Cambs Runners-up Roy Robinson, Sheffield; Neil Brenchley, Hogbens Hill, Selling, Kent
