Some bridge tournaments take everything you’ve got and then some. The emotional output is as extreme as the most demanding, turbulent relationship and you stagger home needing urgent hospital care. Then there are some that are great bridge but not life or death. And then there is Biarritz. A cracking holiday with a bit of
This week I continue with extracts of play from the new book on the English Opening by Steve Giddins. The timing is solicitous in that the British Championship commences next week in North Shields with grandmasters Gawain Jones, David Howell, Stephen Gordon, Keith Arkell and Simon Williams. Timman-Ernst: Wijk aan Zee 2012; English Opening 1
In Competition No. 2755 you were invited to submit an ‘Ode to rain’. No doubt you saw this one coming, what with monsoon June and July’s 50 shades of grey skies. In any case, the lively and entertaining postbag the challenge elicited was certainly a welcome antidote to the ongoing misery of being semi-housebound or
The TITLE (36) gives WORDS (34) that, if combined, ANAGRAMMATISED (42) and suffixed to DUMP, defined by 7, 10, 12 and 22, produce the PSEUDONYM (8) ‘Dumpynose’. DUMP appears in the fifth row of the grid and was to be shaded. First prize Annabel Gaba, London NW6 Runners-up Charles Hastings, Upper Woolhampton; Lucy Mo, Withington,
‘1A (four words)!’ is a quotation suggesting the link between the other seven unclued lights (all real words). The domain of the screamer is a clued light and must be shaded. Across 11 Ailing I lie abed a couple of times and weaken (10) 14 Suit Australian stored in home county (6) 17 Student wrenched
Black to play. This position is a variation from Commons-Gheorghiu, Lone Pine 1975. Black is two pawns down but has the chance for a tactical coup. Can you see it? Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 24 July or via email to victoria@spectator.co.uk or by fax on 020 7681 3773. The winner will
