Life
The dark world of Victorian horse racing
Two hours after showing her father, the Marquess of Anglesey, the wedding dress in which she was to marry the…
Bridge
After all the excitement of England making the playoffs in all four events at the World Championships in China, only…
Plates in the sink
‘Chess is a constant struggle between my desire not to lose and my desire not to think.’ I’m fond of…
no. 575
White to play. The final game of the match between Radjabov and Ding. White’s safer king confers a huge advantage,…
Watch the birdie
In Competition No. 3119 you were invited to submit a poem about yellowhammers. This sparrow-sized songbird has inspired poetry from…
2429: Homo
7A can be linked to nine unclued lights (three of two words, one of which repeats 7A) – in five…
to 2426: Her love
The unclued lights relate to SUPERMAN (6D), his alter ego CLARK KENT (26A), nickname (the) MAN OF STEEL (8), planet…
You have to laugh at Extinction Rebellion
I ventured out into Westminster earlier this week to take a look at the Extinction Rebellion protest and it reminded…
The Battle for Britain
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Why averages don’t add up
I recently learned from a doctor friend that salt isn’t necessarily bad for you. Yes, there is a minority whose…
Dear Mary: How can I tell a man at yoga class to cover up?
Q. My sister runs a yoga school and a middle-aged gentleman has joined. Although she is delighted to encourage male…
A vintage tale of Thatcher, Reagan and some truly great wines
Poor Old Girl. The final act may not have been sanglante, but as the third volume of Charles Moore’s life…
What’s the word for a word that’s been used only once?
It is easy to speak a sentence never spoken before since the world came fresh from its mould. It’s not…
What you can tell about a man from his choice of underwear
New York It’s Indian summertime and the living is easy. There hasn’t been a cloud above the Bagel for two…
Will mindfulness turn me into a Remainer?
Mindfulness at our all-inclusive Turkish beach resort began at 11 o’clock. Our mindfulness teacher was a tiny, smiley, flexible-looking woman…
Should I return to the land of my Italian ancestors?
When I was growing up, my Italian grandfather was my favourite person. He taught me to play a mean game…
Britain is following in the footsteps of Africa’s former failed states
Kenya ‘In the past months the people of Uganda have been following with sorrow the alarming economic crisis befalling…
Bridge
The world bridge championships are finally over — and I don’t remember another where the England players gave us such…
Visky business
‘Visky,’ said the man driving the taxi. ‘Risky?’ ‘Visky.’ ‘Ah… whisky! Or vodka.’ I grinned as I…
no. 574
Black to play. Here is my own tragedy, from Yuffa-McShane, Khanty-Mansiysk 2019. Needing a win, I tried 81 … Kg7-f7…
Here be monsters
In Competition No. 3118, which was inspired by Joan Didion’s wonderful essay of that title, you were invited to submit…
2428: Tracks to the isles
The unclued lights (one of two words), individually or as two pairs, are of a kind. Elsewhere, ignore one accent.…
to 2425: Herein
The unclued lights are regular contributors to the pages of The Spectator week by week. 5/35, 8/10, 12/28, 13, 21A/33 and…
Is it time to revive our play about Boris’s sex life?
I’m writing this from the Conservative party conference where Boris’s attempt to ram home the message that he’s the only…
The Battle for Britain
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