Bridge is a love affair which never dims. Even after all these years, it still excites and energises me – and I’m almost embarrassed to admit how often I dream about it. Last week, for instance, I was watching the North American Bridge Championships from my laptop at home, when I saw a deal that
All eyes are on the Games in Paris, where an estimated 10,000 athletes from more than 200 nations will compete. This comes 100 years after the Paris Olympics of 1924, a milestone event when the number of competing nations jumped from 29 to 44. That same year, Fide, the international governing body of chess, (Federation
Black to play. Sokolovsky-Chopra, Biel Masters, 2024. Another game played on 20 July 2024. Black is in control, but which move struck the decisive blow? Email answers to chess@spectator.co.uk by Monday 5 August. There is a prize of £20 for the first correct answer out of a hat. Please include a postal address. Last week’s
In Comp. 3360 you were invited to submit a passage or poem in which a fictional villain offers their side of the story. There were multiple Satans, Jaws and Hannibal Lecters (chapeau to George Head’s version, just trying to solve the protein supply chain problem). There were also more Moriartys than you can shake a
34/28/19 (five words) is a quotation verifiable in the ODQ from 23 (two words) which suggests how to complete the perimeter (six words). Across 10 Dissolute old peer’s lament (7) 12 Satisfied noise, leading around kings (4) 13 Queen hugs almost dehydrated girl (8) 14 Veep cycling in stubble field (6) 15 Chilled time with
Seven unclued lights, MOORE, CONNERY, LAZENBY, NIVEN, DALTON, BROSNAN, CRAIG, are the names of actors who played the eighth one, BOND, in films. The title, translated from Latin, reads ‘007 x 7’. First prize Louise Rhind-Tutt, Glossop, Derbyshire Runners-up A. Tucker, Winchester, Hants; Roger Baresel, London SW7
