Puzzles & games

Bridge

Bridge | 28 December 2012

Up to Solihull again (I might as well move there) to play the Gold Cup finals. We sailed through the semis against Ken Ford’s team to meet Allfrey in the final. They had been 52 down with 16 boards to play in their semi-final match and had won! The writing was on the wall. The

Chess

London calling

In my series of homages to great masters in London, this week an outstanding win by Anatoly Karpov, who took first prize in the major international tournaments in London 1982 and London 1984. The position is by Alexander Alekhine who came second to Capablanca in London 1922, won in London 1932 and would have defended

Competition

Excuse me

In Competition No. 2777 you were invited to take inspiration from pupils at a Cambridge school who may escape punishment for minor offences if they can come up with a quick and clever excuse. Juliet Walker showed impressive ingenuity: ‘Yes, I did have my pet rat in my pocket, and I’m sorry if he frightened

Crossword

2093: Leading lights

The unclued lights (all verified in Brewer 18th and 19th editions) are of a kind. Elsewhere, ignore three accents.   Across 1 Overcome old film broadcast (8) 6 Tawdry item – small company holds a pile (6) 12 Ivy, out east, is after fish which have four faces (10) 13 Farewells losing one of two

Crossword solution

2091: plain and simple

The unclued Down lights are PLAIN Janes and the unclued Across lights are SIMPLE Simons. First prize Di Arbuthnot, Hungerford, Berkshire Runners-up Nigel Woolliscroft, Newcastle-under-Lyme; Barry Butler, Birmingham

Puzzles

No. 247

White to play. This position is from Alekhine-Yates, London 1922. White has conducted a brilliant strategic game, exposing Black on the dark squares. How does he now continue this theme for a fine tactical finish? Owing to early printing deadlines, we regret that this week’s is not a prize puzzle. Last week’s solution 1 …