Puzzles & games

Bridge

Bridge | 8 November 2012

OK, Guv. It’s a fair cop. I admit it. I’ve been feeling a squidgen smug of late. I’ve been playing rather well — even though I say so myself. My team has been successful. We have prospered. I smiled sympathetically when others told me their tales of woe, thinking, ‘That used to be me.’ I

Chess

Cut of their jib

Entries are now being invited to what I believe to be the world’s finest open tournament held at the Caleta Hotel in Gibraltar over January and February next year. I attend as often as I can and the atmosphere and general camaraderie exceed anything I have experienced elsewhere. Brian Callaghan, the spiritus rector of the

Competition

Hocus pocus

In Competition No. 2771 you were invited to provide a rhymed witch’s spell to bring someone or something either good or ill. Most of you were in cursing mood (though Katie Mallett provided a welcome ray of sunshine: ‘I would cast a spell for happiness…’). Targets included nuisance callers, Bill Gates, leylandii, Downton Abbey and

Crossword

2088: Pathe seat

9 is now the home of the remaining unclued lights, individually or as a pair. Ignore all accents both in the grid and the clues. Brewer confirms the theme. Across 1 Control diarist meant to arrange (12) 10 Manager’s department. Not half (4) 12 York’s situation around hospital, costing you nothing (10, three words) 14

Crossword solution

2085: buffer zones

The unclued lights are railway stations in London (1, 20 and 37), Birmingham (2/36 and 11), Bristol (6A/7), Manchester (16/38 and 19) and Edinburgh (30). First prize Jenny Atkinson, Chorleywood, Herts Runners-up I.F. Bush, Ealing; Mark Humble, London SW3

Puzzles

No. 243

White to play. This position is a variation from David Xu–Michael Basman, Simultaneous 2012. White has a quite remarkable winning move here. Can you see it? Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 13 November or via email to victoria@spectator.co.uk or by fax on 020 7681 3773. The winner will be the first correct