I often see players at international events, playing with someone other than their usual partner (or a sponsor) and forming a superstar pair – even if it’s only for one tournament. One of the most exciting pairs at the recent European Transnational Championships in Poland was Norwegian Geir Helgemo, the player widely regarded as the
The final round of the British Championships, held at the St George’s Hall in Liverpool, promised plenty of drama. Six players shared the lead, and knowing the butterflies that swarm before critical games, it was a safe bet that at least one of the top three boards would see a winner. Top seed Nikita Vitiugov,
Black to play. Siva Mahadevan-Nikita Vitiugov. White is attacking the f7-pawn, but Vitiugov’s next move won him the game. What did he play? Email answers to chess@spectator.co.uk by Monday 18 August. There is a prize of £20 for the first correct answer out of a hat. Please include a postal address. Last week’s solution 1
For Competition 3412 you were invited to submit a poem about the struggle of writing a poem.This challenge drew a larger-than–usual, heartfelt entry. Nicholas Whitehead’s limerick caught my eye: A limerick writer from Slough Said ‘I haven’t quite mastered the form. I’ve got wit and pith, And the scansion’s okay, But I can’t get the
Eight entries – only four of which comprise one word – possess titular properties. Across 11 Playful killer whales swimming, not terribly well, lacking energy (7) 12 Former parking cut in safe English city (6) 13 Question in National Curriculum test exercises (6) 14 Section of relatively revolutionary musical (5) 15 Wheels finally augmented by
The quotation, taken from the King James BIBLE (Matt. 6.29; Luke 12.27), is ‘SOLOMON IN ALL HIS GLORY WAS NOT ARRAYED LIKE ONE OF THESE’. The three unclued lights are types of lily: ARUM (16D), FRITILLARY (17D) and TIGER (31D). First prize Peter Hampton, Wimborne, Dorset Runners-up Maureen Quarmby, Oldham; Sue Dyson, Stockport, Cheshire
