Not many male bridge players over a certain age (ten) would call themselves feminists. I won’t repeat what the partner of one female European gold medallist said of her (and all women bridge players) at the table, but it wasn’t pretty. At a recent mixed pairs tournament a married couple — let’s call them
The Hungarian/American grandmaster Pal Benko has died at the age of 91. Among his numerous distinguished achievements was his double qualification for the World Championship Candidates tournaments of 1959 and 1962, eight victories in the US Open, his invention of the Benko Gambit (1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 c5 3 d5 b5) and his prowess as
In Competition No. 3115 you were invited to submit a fable for the 21st century, complete with moral. James Michie, my predecessor in the judge’s seat, was a celebrated translator of fables and if you were looking for inspiration, and don’t speak French, his 1973 rendering of a selection by La Fontaine were described by
The unclued lights (two individually, both of two words, one an abbreviation, and five pairs) are of a kind. One further theme word appearing every third week should be highlighted. Across 1 Men Prescott battered in dispute (11) 7 Liquid — mostly light red (3) 11 Beat about the ears? (6) 15 One in a
The unclued Across lights are words abbreviated by F which includes ‘40’ and the unclued Down lights are abbreviated by f which includes ‘furlongs’. First prize Heather Kingham, Barnay, France Runners-up Brian Midgley, Ettington, Warwickshire; Michael Pigden, Barnet, Hertfordshire
White to play. This position is from Benko-Jeney, Budapest 1950. Benko has just sacrificed rook for knight. What is his idea? Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 17 September or via email to victoria@spectator.co.uk. There is a prize of £20 for the first correct answer out of a hat. Please include a postal
