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Same: Tal seems to be a favourite among setters and, even though the player in Times Crossword Club Monthly Special is equally or more famous, I had a feeling the answer was going to be a relatively unused and obsolete word, as indicated by "lost" - and I was right!

I will buy you all a pint (20 fl oz, not the ridiculous 16) if Max Euwe or Rustam Kasimdzhanov ever makes an appearance

What did you make of Ding's rook move? You could tell from the footage that Gukesh couldn't believe it 🫣

https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/chess/andrei-filatov-accuses-ding-liren-gukesh-world-championship-9721733/

Hi Paul,

I don't believe Ding would do that, not for a second. You only had to look at his reaction when it suddenly dawned on him what he had done to see that it was a genuine blunder.

I think it's more likely that the Russian chess federation is just throwing shade because they're not allowed to compete as a team or, in the case of individuals, under their national flag.

No time to waste on bats**t Russian conspiracy theories. 🤣 One would also have to suspect 29. a4?! and 53. Ba8?!
So Ding would have had to formulate a game-throwing plan while in Zeitnot...oh, wait, he could have instructions fed to him electronically (beads?) or while in the toilet 🤣.
Once you go down that conspiracy theory rabbit hole there's no escape.

I'm glad we're of the same mind on this Geeker, I have little to no time for these types of baseless accusations.

It was really quite painful to see the anguish and distress Ding was quite plainly going through. Thanfully, Gukesh had the good grace not to gloat and, even when he couldn't stop himself from a brief smile, he covered his face with his hands - a classy move IMHO.

That's an interesting mention of gloating, Brendan. It's definitely not etiquette in chess, nor in bridge. Apparently someone was banned from the Portland Club for shaking hands with his bridge partner in congratulations after a good result on a hand.

However, gloating in the form of often extreme goal celebrations is acceptable in football. Is that because it's a team game? Yet professional tennis players often throw themselves to the ground in delight before going to the net to shake hands with the defeated opponent who has had to wait at the net.

Entirely agree that the accusation by the Russian president of FIDE is sour grapes.

Just correcting the inaccuracy at the end of my previous post.

The criticism of Ding Liren came from the president of the Russian Chess Federation, not the World Chess Federation (FIDE). However, the FIDE president, Arkady Dvorkovich, is also Russian. I haven't seen his reaction to his countryman's comments.