English Chess Forum

Not exactly a nice anagram, the best I can do .....

Ar u in a rum haka K? Reassembled to play Carlsen. (6,8)

Potentially unarm a khaki uniform with artist candidate.

"I mention it mainly because I have never seen a Roman numeral count as a word in a crossword. I suppose technically it is the letter I, so perhaps fair enough."

The "i" general knowledge crossword on Saturday did this twice - e.g. asking for the name of the British king who abdicated in 1936 (6,4)

Times, Thursday 21st January:

Mistake taking rook with queen (3)

Err

Mike Alderson wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 21, 2021 10:51 pm

Err

Well done, Mike, assuming that's your answer and not a hesitant thinking noise.

For non-cryptos it's ER for queen, R for rook and 'mistake' as the definition. Good that chess abbreviations are acceptable in crosswords, though that's because they are included in the recommended dictionaries. They even have N for knight.

Earlier in this thread there are several clues which no-one (apparently) has succeeded in solving, including one of mine. Is it time now to post the answers?

Yesterday in the Times Jumbo; “Beyond compare in Lima, introduced to dull game (9)” and “Check when boarding earlier vessel (8)”.

Simon Brown wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 07, 2021 3:18 pm

Yesterday in the Times Jumbo; “Beyond compare in Lima, introduced to dull game” and “Check when boarding earlier vessel”.

That's tough without the number of letters in a bracket, but I've managed SCHOONER for the second one.

In yesterday's regular cryptic we had ROOKS as a solution to 'Cheats men, reversing sanctions' (5). Men being OR (other ranks) reversed followed by OKS (okays) for sanctions. Not a chess clue but at least the setter didn't use 'castles' as a definition, which is unfortunately sanctioned by Chambers dictionary. Actually under 'castle' it has 'a rook in chess' but redeems itself under 'rook' with 'a chess piece which is moved in a vertical or horizontal line, its shape usually being that of a tower with battlements.'

Looks as though they brought in a top class chess consultant for later in the alphabet.

Paul Habershon wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 07, 2021 5:35 pm

Simon Brown wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 07, 2021 3:18 pm

Yesterday in the Times Jumbo; “Beyond compare in Lima, introduced to dull game” and “Check when boarding earlier vessel”.

That's tough without the number of letters in a bracket, but I've managed SCHOONER for the second

Corrected. Schooner is right

Simon Brown wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 07, 2021 6:02 pm

Paul Habershon wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 07, 2021 5:35 pm

Simon Brown wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 07, 2021 3:18 pm

Yesterday in the Times Jumbo; “Beyond compare in Lima, introduced to dull game” and “Check when boarding earlier vessel”.

That's tough without the number of letters in a bracket, but I've managed SCHOONER for the second

Corrected. Schooner is right

and MATCHLESS - I eventually remembered Lima representing L in that alpha, bravo.... alphabet whatever it's called.

I see that dull can be mat, matt or matte.

10ac today:
No-win situation fair, on reflection, in report (9)

STALEMATE

I saw 'state' for 'report', but struggled to see a word for 'fair' reversed (on reflection) inside 'state'. Amel or mela? Discovered MELA is a Sanskrit word for a gathering or fair on the Indian subcontinent. New to me.

I suggest you have a look at today's (Saturday) Guaurdian cryptic crossword. The whole puzzle is chess themed. (Unfortunately I can't provide a link from my phone, as crosswords are a paid for service on the app, but you should be able to find it on the Guardian website.)

Nigel White wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 20, 2021 9:16 pm

I suggest you have a look at today's (Saturday) Guaurdian cryptic crossword. The whole puzzle is chess themed. (Unfortunately I can't provide a link from my phone, as crosswords are a paid for service on the app, but you should be able to find it on the Guardian website.)

https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/prize/28374

Here you go. The compiler is himself a chess player who takes a keen interest in the game.

Private Eye crossword 696:-

Board manoeuvres - the likes of Fergie deprived of dues (5)