Like most children, I was often told: ‘Count the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves.’ I was strangely transfixed by the idea — as though, through some strange alchemy, coins could turn into notes all by themselves if you just waited long enough. But I never did; I couldn’t resist spending my pocket
Rudolph Spielmann, a contemporary of Rubinstein, Reti, Alekhine and Capablanca, can be seen as the Romantic equivalent to a further great master of the 1920s, Aron Nimzowitsch. Whereas Nimzowitsch made his literary reputation with his book of chess strategy, My System, Spielmann entrusted his thoughts on the right way to play chess in his parallel
In Competition No. 2786 you were invited to submit a feature for a travel supplement as it might have been written by a well-known novelist, living or dead. Derek Morgan’s George Orwell is in Paris and insufficiently down-and-out: ‘Although I would have preferred to haul my suitcase on foot from Gare du Nord, a
Four pairs of unclued lights (5,5) represent their solutions and together equal the remaining trio of unclued lights. Across 5 Student of mental disorders or ufos? (8) 10 Relative from BR or ER, apparently (11, hyphened) 11 Doctor’s verdict, a dosing is in order (9) 12 Deal with work in church (4) 17 Composer
The unclued lights formed from the anagrams of the Lover’s Knot clues are boys’ and girls’ names, entered at consecutive solutions, as follows: 1D/2; 15/18; 21A/23; 27/30; 29/31. First prize Vivienne Pyatt, Arkesden, Essex Runners-up S.L. Jordan, Didcot, Oxon; Fiona and Jean Daniels, Sydney, Australia
Black to play. This position is from Sjoholm-Spielmann, Kalmar 1941. How did Black swiftly decimate the white kingside? Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 5 March 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
