Life
Real life
The mechanic hooked the Volvo up to his special laptop. He had kindly offered to come to me in order…
Long life
When I got married 50 years ago, my wife and I had somehow acquired a little cookery book called Cooking…
Wild life
From a way off, as he entered the café, he looked young and handsome but when he sat down there…
Bridge
It’s no coincidence that many card players excel at both bridge and poker. The poker legend Gus Hansen plays a…
Watch and wait
While Viswanathan Anand, the former world champion, has been qualifying for a revenge match for the world title, Magnus Carlsen,…
No. 311
White to play. This is a variation from Carlsen-Leitao, Brazil 2014. White has a big attack on the kingside which…
Inconsequential
In Competition No. 2844 you were invited to provide an extract from either a gripping thriller or a bodice-ripping romance…
2159: Wine, Woman and Song
Nine unclued lights are linked in three different ways (three lights to each) to a tenth, which solvers should highlight.…
to 2156: Shoreline
The perimeter is occupied by seven SANDPIPERS. First prize Tim Hanks, Douglas, Isle of Man Runners-up Hilda Ball, Belfast;…
Yes, Britain is a Christian country
I can’t say it was a great surprise to read a letter from a group of well-known authors, academics, comedians…
Battle For Britain
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Ideas that breed
A 14-year-old at an American school recently caused a stir when he claimed that the US government could save over…
Your problems solved
Q. My son was invited, both verbally and via Facebook, to a schoolfriend’s 16th birthday party. However, when I met…
A toast to Le Roi Jean Quinze
There ought to be a new literary award: the antisocial book of the year. A dozen years ago, Claire Tomalin’s…
Astel
Dear old Ian Hislop was pottering around North Petherton, Somerset, on television, to talk about the Alfred Jewel, found nearby…
A toast to Le Roi Jean Quinze
There ought to be a new literary award: the antisocial book of the year. A dozen years ago, Claire Tomalin’s…
Ideas that breed
A 14-year-old at an American school recently caused a stir when he claimed that the US government could save over…
Wild life
From a way off, as he entered the café, he looked young and handsome but when he sat down there…
High life
New York This is a tale of two escape artists in one city. Let’s start with my old friend the…
Low life
In the blue corner, wearing 4oz gloves, is the Ninja. Real name Klynton. The younger of my two grandsons. Also…
Real life
‘Can I go and play with Twiggy?’ If dogs could talk, this is what my spaniel Cydney would be saying…
Long life
The arrival of spring is not an unmitigated joy. The warmth is nice, of course, as are the fresh leaves…
Taxing questions
We all have to adjust to reality, like the lady who entered a Barbados bar having already enjoyed several gin…
Bridge
I have always been drawn to a bit of a rogue and I must admit I found the coughing German…
Express train
The erratic Ukrainian grandmaster Vassily Ivanchuk has scored an overwhelming victory in a rapidplay tournament sponsored by the Latvian railway.…
