Life
Long life
I was predicting in a recent column that the arrival of spring would be bad news for my poultry, and…
Bridge
The more I watch top-class players bid their hands, the more I abide by the philosophy: points, schmoints! Obviously, we…
Pantheon
From 1950 to 1962, the challenger for the world title was determined by a Candidates tournament of the world’s leading…
No. 313
White to play. This position is from Tal-Smyslov, Candidates Tournament 1959. White’s next move was a bombshell which led to…
The write stuff
In Competition No. 2846 you were invited to invent the six rules for writing of a well-known author of your…
2161: Appellation contrôlée
The unclued lights (one doubly hyphened) share a medical similarity. (Despite appearances there are no rude words in the puzzle!)…
to 2158: Late bloomers
The unclued lights are the surnames of people (nine of whom were botanists) who gave their names to flowers. …
Making myselfherd
I find it hard to pinpoint the exact moment when my support for Queen’s Park Rangers crossed over into full-blown…
Battle for Britain
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A land of extremes
A few years ago I would have quite liked to live in America. I’m not sure now. For one thing,…
Dear Mary
Q. On arrival at a top level dinner, I was surprised to see at the table a woman who, I…
A military port
Alas, the ’63 ports are beginning to fade. I came to that conclusion the last time I tasted a Warre’s,…
Bugger
The French for tête-à-tête is one-to-one now, according to a new survey of English invaders by Alexandre des Isnards. Actually,…
A military port
Alas, the ’63 ports are beginning to fade. I came to that conclusion the last time I tasted a Warre’s,…
A land of extremes
A few years ago I would have quite liked to live in America. I’m not sure now. For one thing,…
High life
The vicissitudes of getting old are linked to the mystical innocence of childhood as one daydreams the precious time away.…
Low life
Sharon’s back. As soon as I heard, I went straight round to the house and let myself in. She was…
Real life
Really, I do wish people would stagger their baby-making. Absolutely every professional person whose services I have required in the…
Long life
The appointment of Sajid Javid as the new Secretary of State for Culture has been much criticised on the grounds…
Settling up
Mrs Oakley takes a dim view of my using the BMW that consumed much of her savings to ferry sacks…
Bridge
Somewhere highly intellectual I read that they were bringing back the Generation Game, recalling, in all their excruciating mundanity, Brucie’s…
Vengeance is mine
The history of the world chess championship includes five title matches where the challenger was the former champion, seeking his…
No. 312
White to play. This is from Botvinnik-Smyslov, World Championship (Game 2) 1958. White’s next was a clever way to win…
I’m a non-believer
In Competition No. 2845 you were invited to provide a hymn for atheists. This excellent, and topical, competition was suggested…
2160: 18 Down
Six unclued lights are 18 Down from the same source (five are entitled to appear; the sixth appears regularly). Six…
