The Schapiro Spring Foursomes, held in early May in Stratford-upon-Avon, is one of the great tournaments and this time it attracted more international world stars than ever before. The legendary Lavazza team came for the first time, as did World Champions Tor Helness from Norway and Peter Berteau and Johan Upmark from Sweden, charming everyone
In my column of 26 April I suggested that the new world champion Magnus Carlsen was in need of some stiff opposition in preparation for his title defence, scheduled for later this year. Since winning the championship six months ago, Carlsen has been indulging himself with a series of PR events and victories against (by
In Competition No. 2847 you were invited to submit a poem celebrating a famous duo. You wheeled out a colourful cast of pairings. Ray Kelley sang the praises of Flanders and Swann: ‘Never was there a sweeter fit/ of wit to melody, melody to wit’. Brian Allgar proposed a toast to that gruesome twosome Burke
In each of eleven clues the definition part contains a superfluous letter. These letters, in clue order, spell a three-word phrase. Clues in italics consist of cryptic indications of partial answers; in each case, the indicated part must do as stated by the phrase to create the full answer to be entered in the grid.
The three groups associated with EMPEROR (24) were MOTHS (1A, 25D, 39), PAPER SIZES (9, 16A, 44), and PENGUINS (13, 19, 43). The title suggested another grouping, STRAUSS WALTZES. First prize Sue Topham, Elston, Newark Runners-up Christine Twickel, Tidmington, Shipston on Stour; John Light, Addlestone, Surrey
White to play. This is a variation from Caruana-Radjabov, Gashimov Memorial, Shamkir 2014. The advanced White c-pawn gives him an overwhelming position. What is the best way to finish off? Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 20 May or via email to victoria@spectator.co.uk or by fax on 020 7681 3773. The winner will
