The Spectator - February 08, 2018

LIFE

most accurate moves and setting opponents

difficult problems 22 ... Ng4 23 Rb4 Rc5

ÌJ0GHThis is too loosening. 25

Kf1 was better, planning 25 ... Rc2 26 Ke2. 25

... Nd3 26 Nb3 Rc2 Now this rook is just too

powerful. 27 Rxd4 Rxd4 28 Nxd4 Rxb2

4F0H9JKěGRGSKINS

.G3TCNI.KGM&TDOU: Gibraltar Masters

2018

This position looks blocked and therefore

drawn, but now White uncorks an unexpected

breakthrough. FĀĀGWFG4FF

4WD$WD4WD0H4WH

-I

$WHIWH-WHF-G4D

4I

-JG4I4WI$ĚCEL

RGSKINS

The Armenian Grandmaster Levon Aronian has
won first prize of £25,000 in the important
Tradewise Masters which has just finished in
Gibraltar. Britain’s Mickey Adams also shared
first place, but due to the exigencies of the tie-
breaking system it was Aronian who progressed
to the play-off, where he defeated the leading
French representative Maxime Vachier-Lagrave.
Here are some extracts from an event which has
consistently been voted the world’s best open
competition.

#RONKCN*OOĚě: Gibraltar Masters 2018

Black is a pawn up but White has tremendously
active rooks and a juicy square on e5 for the
knight. 0H! This proves remarkably awkward.
Black cannot capture as 34 ... gxf6 35 Qxf6+ Rg7
36 Rd7 Reg8 37 Rcc7 wins. 34 ... Rc8 35 Rcd1
White now has numerous threats including the
beautiful 36 Qg6! 4H0F36 Nxh7
was also very strong as 36 ... Kxh7 37 Rd7 Rcf8 38
Rxf7 Rxf7 39 Rd8 wins. 4I4JJ
0G4H4WJ
Ā4WJ0H
-J
0WJ$HA last gasp try. 41 ... gxh6 42 Rd7+
mates. 0H4H3J
$ĚCELRGSKINS
After 43 ... Kg8 44 Ng5 wins.

/OTSSCRF#FCMS: Gibraltar Masters 2018
(see diagram 2)

This position is equal but Black has a very slight
advantage in piece activity and White must play
accurately to neutralise it. Adams is deadly in
such situations as he is very good at finding the

In Competition No. 3034 you were invited to

provide a poem written by a poet laureate

present or past on the engagement of Prince

Harry and Meghan Markle.

There are those who view the role of lau-

reate as a poisoned chalice. Craig Raine has

described how he said to Ted Hughes, dur-

ing a discussion of the then-vacant post, ‘Of

course, no one in their right mind would real-

ly want it.’ (‘You’d get some terrific fishing,’

Hughes responded.) And Andrew Motion

was candid about its pitfalls: ‘How was I to

steer an appropriate course between famili-

arity (which would seem presumptuous) and

sycophancy (which would seem absurd)?’

You strode into the minefield with gusto,

and there was much to admire in a largish and

vigorous entry. Frank Osen and A.H. Harker

both took inspiration from Tennyson’s ‘The

May Queen’, and I much enjoyed George

Simmers’s waspish twist on Masefield’s ‘Car-

goes’. The winners take £25 each.

Bliss is it in this dawn to be alive,

When love so touching in its majesty

And common truth can brighten every eye

That every downcast spirit might revive.

This couple shows how two true hearts contrive

To transcend caste, tribe and geography.

We feel a brave tomorrow drawing nigh

As unity and difference gladly thrive.

Dull would he be of soul who felt no joy

When gazing on this new iconic pair,

This much applauded girl and highborn boy

Whose romance is a gift all souls may share.

When elements diverse as these alloy,

Earth has not anything to show more fair.

Chris O’Carroll/William Wordsworth

Meghan Markle, Meghan Markle,

What a welcome royal mate!

You’ve given us a rhyme for ‘sparkle’,

A joy for any Laureate!

Better still, the prince you marry

Will provide another rhyme

When you tie the knot with Harry,

Ah, what poetry sublime!

I’m sure Her Maj, the groom’s grandmother

Will see you as a force for good;

From one soap opera to another

You’ll bring a touch of Hollywood.

Of late the feeling in our Nation

Has been cold and lost and drear.

We need a royal celebration!

How nice to line the streets and cheer!

Brian Murdoch/John Betjeman

Thou golden prince, no longer profligate,

The vagaries of youth now set aside;

Abandoning thy solitary state

Hast sought on foreign shores a comely bride.

Fate summons, thou hast reached thy princely prime

And she, cognisant with the thespian skills,

PUZZLE NO. 492

White to play. This position is from Wang Hao-
Howell, Gibraltar 2018. What opportunity did
White overlook? Answers to me at The Spectator
by Tuesday 13 February or via email to victoria@
spectator.co.uk. There is a prize of £20 for the first
correct answer out of a hat. Please include a post-
al address and allow six weeks for prize delivery.

.CSěVGGL¥SSOĚTěKON 1 Qd8+
.CSěVGGL¥SVKNNGR Richard George,
St Albans, Herts

Chess

Chess on the Rock

Raymond Keene

Competition

Occasional verse

Lucy Vickery

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Diagram 2