Life
Bridge
This has been the most shocking saga in the entire history of bridge. In the face of overwhelming evidence that…
It's scary what it takes to be (and stay) a jockey
It’s a tough old business, this racing. Hayley Turner is the best woman rider we’ve ever seen in this country.…
2229: Gnome
The third letters of extra words in two dozen clues spell out a 35 (in ODQ 7&8), associated with the…
To 2226: Whitehouse
X was Ingrid Bergman, winner of a TERN (21) of OSCARs (8), who was born on 29th August 1915 and…
Was Maria a virgin, a prude or a woman who liked to torture?
Gstaad Last week I dreamt of a girl I met in the summer of 1953, in Greece. I had never…
Modafinil, ladies and gentlemen. Recommended.
The staples of my daily alcohol consumption on the cruise were champagne, gin, red wine and Polish vodka. One morning…
Have my bones fallen to bits like the Oxford professor said they would?
‘Are you afraid of falling over?’ asked the bored young radiologist, as he started filling out the forms. I had…
Sexism and racism in outer space
How do you address extraterrestrials in outer space? The main problem with this is that there may not be any…
Bridge
The cheating scandal rages on. The latest to be accused is the world’s number one-ranked pair, Fulvio Fantoni and Claudio…
Grand Tour
This week I conclude my coverage of the St Louis leg of the million dollar Grand Tour. Carlsen-So: Sinquefield…
Puzzle no. 379
Black to play. This position is a variation from So-Nakamura, St Louis 2015. How can Black conclude the attack with…
Arty limericks
In Competition No. 2915 you were invited to submit limericks featuring a well-known artist and a destination of your choice.…
My obsession with litter is bordering on mental illness
It’s no good. I’ve tried to resist it, but I’ve succumbed. I’m now a full-blown litter Nazi. Whenever I leave…
Battle for britain
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Another Federer-Djokovic classic – let's pray it wasn't the last
A thumping physical confrontation testing mind, muscle and sinew to the ultimate degree, and from which there could only be…
Dear Mary: How do I address a magistrate of indeterminate sex?
Q. Some years ago, while appearing as a barrister before a bench of three magistrates in the youth court, I…
Finally, a foodie restaurant that isn’t pretentious, overpriced or insulting to the intelligence
I cannot review the Gay Hussar every time the Labour party behaves like a self-harming teenager (‘I don’t want to…
A lesson in graceful Twitter style – from a resigning shadow minister
‘Tweeting’s like text messaging, isn’t it?’ said my husband confidently, though not, as usual, from any knowledge of the matter.…
Battle for britain
Got something to add? Join the discussion and comment below.
Grand Tour
This week I conclude my coverage of the St Louis leg of the million dollar Grand Tour. Carlsen-So: Sinquefield Cup,…
Puzzle no. 379
Black to play. This position is a variation from So-Nakamura, St Louis 2015. How can Black conclude the attack with…
Arty limericks
In Competition No. 2915 you were invited to submit limericks featuring a well-known artist and a destination of your choice.…
Your problems solved
Q. Some years ago, while appearing as a barrister before a bench of three magistrates in the youth court, I…
Foodies without the faff
I cannot review the Gay Hussar every time the Labour party behaves like a self-harming teenager (‘I don’t want to…
High life
Gstaad Last week I dreamt of a girl I met in the summer of 1953, in Greece. I had never…
