Puzzles & games

Bridge

Bridge | 12 September 2020

The bridge world has lost some glittering stars this (ghastly) year, the latest being France’s Catherine d’Ovidio — multiple world and European champion. She described herself in a recent interview as a ‘difficult partner, lovely teammate’. I prefer Tony Forrester’s comment on Bridgewinners: ‘She was adorable and a really outstanding card player.’ Today’s deal is

Chess

Internet trouble

It was as baffling to me as quantum entanglement. Every time the Algerian player on the Zoom call shared his screen, my own screen share would stop working. That we were playing in separate matches was beside the point — this was online chess under something like exam conditions, and the software glitch left me

Chess puzzle

No. 621

Black to play. Rios–Adams, Online Olympiad, August 2020. The White king is running short of squares. Which move did Adams play to tighten the noose? Answers should be emailed to chess@spectator.co.uk by Monday 14 September. There is a prize of £20 for the first correct answer out of a hat. Please include a postal address

Competition

Spectator competition winners: Would you give Anne Boleyn a job?

In Competition No. 3165 you were invited to supply a job reference for a well-known public figure, past or present, that while seemingly positive reveals the failings of the candidate in question. Robert Schechter discerns a streak of modesty in Donald Trump: ‘His reluctance to boast about his great wealth has driven him to take

Crossword

2474: Love me do

31 3 worked for the 43 of 21. The 43 of 34 got him for 24 35 and sent him to 28 (two words). He finally gave in to 15 (two words). Ignore three accents and one apostrophe. Across 1 Fish barrel, a deep sound from it (8, two words) 6 Gambling cartel admits Poles

Crossword solution

2471: Inky solution

The unclued lights can be preceded by BLACK. First prize Stephanie Reeve, Papworth Everard, CambridgeRunners-up Hilda Ball, Belfast; Peter Chapman, South Perth, Western Australia