It’s hard to explain to non-bridge players how much the game means to some of us. It’s not just a pastime; it’s a grand passion. Janet de Botton summed it up well when someone asked her if she really loved the game. ‘I don’t love it,’ she replied, ‘I’m in love with it.’ Ask any
London has seen three World Championship matches in the post-war period, Kasparov-Karpov 1986, Kasparov-Short 1993 and Kasparov-Kramnik 2000. The game I have chosen to start the new year is Kasparov’s most convincing win from his 1986 title defence at the Park Lane Hotel, a match opened by the then Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, and closed
In Competition No. 2778 you were invited to express your regret, in verse, for New Year’s resolutions not kept. The challenge produced an entertaining outpouring of contrition. I enjoyed John MacRitchie’s twist on the Frank Sinatra classic: ‘I’ve packed my case too full,/ Made dreadful curries, in a Thai way,/ Each year, my diets flop,/
Definitions in ten clues are a letter down; missing letters, in clue order, spell out the creator of one unclued light (three words) which defines the other seven (including one hyphened). Elsewhere, ignore one accent. Across 1 Chap started to mine free ores, developing alloy (14, hyphened) 10 From Austria, backless seat
Answers to clues in italics are pie (13), as (15), unled (22) and heel (27). In each case it is necessary to PUT IN AN APPEARANCE (32 10) to create the grid entry. Definitions of thematic entries are 3, 16, 40 and 12. First prize Belinda Bridgen, London NW8 Runners-up A.L. James, Winchester, Hants; P.J.W.
White to play. This position is from Kramnik-Kasparov, World Championship, London (Game 2) 2000. Kasparov has been struggling to hold a difficult endgame, a pawn down and has now just blundered. How did Kramnik finish off? Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 8 January or via email to victoria@spectator.co.uk or by fax on
