7AFFLUENCE | Saturday, July 4 2020

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3X3 grid contains the digits 1 through 9 with no repeats.

S U D O K U

W O R D P L A Y

SHOE Gary Brookins and Susie MacNelly

CLANCY Mark Lynch

We have found 66 words that can be made from the letters in the square, each of which uses the letter in the middle and contains at least four letters. We challenge you to beat this, and also to make at least one nine-letter word. No abbreviations, initials or foreign words unless they form words in everyday use. No plurals.

Today’s Target: Good 44; very good 53; excellent 66.

If today is your birthday: A good time to think about things. As they are, as you would like them to be. This new year determines your purpose, because despite the circumstance you can achieve much. It’s all about the goals you choose. Choose wisely.

Aries (21 March-20 April)Don’t let go of the dream, it is something to keep you going, having something to be striving for. So no matter what constraints are out there you can be assured you can achieve your desire. So don’t give it up.

Taurus (21 April-21 May)Best pay attention to the details, or things can run away from you. So keep to the program and don’t let go of your ideals. This week you need to look closer, maybe you’ve been derailed, time to get back on track.

Gemini (22 May-21 June)You thought you were on your way, now you’re questioning everything. Time to reflect, reassess. To re-draw your map, and pursue the goals that matter, not just what other people want. So reboot your plans, change the finish line.

Cancer (22 June-23 July)Somehow you need to change the way you do things. It was not working out, now you need to make it work. Work for you, work towards a clear goal. Whatever you’ve held on to, you need to turn things around.

Leo (24 July-23 August)Things have been nothing if not challenging, but you always have a plan. Don’t be distracted from your purpose, keep to those dreams. Somehow you can make new decisions, create a new game plan. So time to do the groundwork.

Virgo (24 August-23 September) This week much is asked of you, But it’s always that

way. So take the time to make a plan that works, and work towards it. Never let go of the passion for positive change. So maybe you’ll have the answer.

Libra (24 September-23 October) You’ve been striving for something important, but somehow you can’t get there. This week is all about reaching those goals, getting rewards for your efforts, and finally getting there. So eye on the prize, you won’t falter. So make that final push.

Scorpio (24 October-22 November) So you were on your way and then you got distracted. Time to re-commit to action. Nothing you can’t do, it’s the way you like things. A small challenge, a big challenge. Nothing you can’t do. So time to measure your response.

Sagittarius (23 November-21 December) Oh boy! You got your work cut out for you this week. No resting on your laurels here. A good time to see what you want, who you think you are. So don’t let go, you can be all of that and more.

Capricorn (22 December-20 January) Change your attitude, change your circumstance. This week is all about making an impact and not letting things get you down. There is much to be worried about, but somehow you can change the name of the game. To suit yourself.

Aquarius (21 January-19 February)The last time you looked things were very different, now everything is upside down. Best to keep to your initial plans, don’t let them get behind. All you wanted before is still possible. You did the work, now you can get the results.

Pisces (20 February-20 March)Somehow you have to face facts, change is all around. The time is now to take action, and create a new narrative. A new way of doing things, in a time of new things. The new normal will keep you on your toes.

YOUR STARSBarbara Kiselev

D O U B L E C R O S S W O R D

QUICK CLUESACROSS3 Pen (9)8 Nobleman (4)9 Complicated (9)10 Locomotive (6)11 Embrace (5)14 Proportion (5)15 Unaccompanied (4)16 Cautions (5)18 With the addition of (4)20 Military student (5)21 Walks lamely (5)24 Unproductive (6)25 Wooing (9)26 Bend (4)27 Disconcert (9)

DOWN1 To wire (9)2 Dreadful (9)4 Egyptian river (4)5 Tag (5)6 Accentuate (6)7 Ceremonial observance (4)9 Bequeath (5)11 Worries (5)12 Heavy (9)13 Mainland of Europe (9)17 Remnant (5)19 Jagged mountainchain (6)22 Problem (5)23 Shape (4)24 Offers (4)

CRYPTIC CLUESACROSS: 3 Such instruction could result in getting cautioned (9)8 Keep them about you for emergencies (4)9 Become conscious that you should change direction? (4,5)10 Appear to expose a fraud? (4,2)11 Takes in a form of food (5)14 Chief linesman? (5)15 Pinches drinks (4)16 Give up the harvest (5)18 An instrument poorly repaired in part (4)20 Composer of large variations (5)21 Pest possibly slain in the garden (5)24 Give orders for some frozen joints of meat (6)25 Tour bases wrecked by destructive people (9)26 It's useful when making a choice, of course (4)

27 He provides simple remedies (9)DOWN: 1 Jammed cylinder! (5,4)2 They slowly progress a little way over the waves (9)4 Enough water to cause a fall? (4)5 A number take a break at the summit (5)6 Old city gent with a hardworking reputation (6)7 Admits what the proprietor does (4)9 A hot meal (5)11 The waves get bigger (5)12 Aren't they made for adult hands? (3,6)13 He travels in the wide open spaces (9)17 Chapter heads (5)19 Bury someone - because of a wrong note to a doctor? (6)22 Lad that is treated in the right way becomes perfect (5)23 Created a dame perhaps? (4)24 His victims lose heart! (4)

FASTRACK Bill Holbrook

L A S T W E E K ’ S S O L U T I O N

Today’s solutions: agnomen amen ament among atom engram game garment germ german gnome gram mage magnet magneto MAGNETRON mane mange manger mango manner manor mare margent mart marten mate mater matron mean meant meat megaron megaton mentor moan moaner moat monger montage montane monte mora more morgen morn mort mote name nomen norm norman ogam omega omen ornament ream remnant roam roman tame tamer team term tome tram

TODAY’S SOLUTIONSCRYPTIC: Across: 3 Education. 8 Wits. 9 Come round. 10 Show up. 11 Steak. 14 Ruler. 15 Nips. 16 Yield. 18 Lyre. 20 Elgar. 21 Snail. 24 Enjoin. 25 Saboteurs. 26 Menu. 27 Herbalist.Down: 1 Swiss roll. 2 Strollers. 4 Drop. 5 Crest. 6 Trojan. 7 Owns. 9 Curry. 11 Swell. 12 Kid gloves. 13 Astronaut. 17 Deans. 19 Entomb. 22 Ideal. 23 Made. 24 Eros.QUICK: Across: 3 Enclosure. 8 Earl. 9 Elaborate. 10 Engine. 11 Clasp. 14 Ratio. 15 Solo. 16 Warns. 18 Plus. 20 Cadet. 21 Limps. 24 Barren. 25 Courtship. 26 Turn. 27 Embarrass.Down: 1 Telegraph. 2 Frightful. 4 Nile. 5 Label. 6 Stress. 7 Rite. 9 Endow. 11 Cares. 12 Ponderous. 13 Continent. 17 Scrap. 19 Sierra. 22 Poser. 23 Form. 24 Bids.

G E N E R A L K N O W L E D G E

1 0 M I N U T E C R O S S W O R D

C R Y P T I C 3 2 0

N E I L H A Y W A R D B R I D G E

QUICK CLUESACROSS: 9 Flooded (9) 10 Fungus (9) 12 Destiny (4) 13 Type of cigar (6) 14 Make use of (7) 15 Fanciful and unrealistic, informally (4-5) 17 Boldness (7-2) 18 Capability (7) 19 US state (6) 20 Seasoning (4) 23 Farm implement (9) 25 Very unhappy (9) 26 Darts throwing-line (4) 27 Tell (6) 29 Stringed instrument (7) 32 Fruit (9) 34 Military unit (9) 35 Brook (7) 36 Parrot's cry (6) 37 Cheque counterfoil (4)

38 Indulgence (9) 39 Meat-eater (9)DOWN: 1 Rabble (8) 2 Type of toffee (12) 3 Cruel act (8) 4 Stupidity (6) 5 Stand astride (8) 6 Wholesome (10) 7 Painkiller (7) 8 Blowfly (10) 11 Due (5) 16 Very dirty (6) 19 Tree (3) 21 Shortened form (12) 22 Injury (6) 23 Wealth (10) 24 All-powerful (10) 25 Mother (3) 28 Supervisor (8) 29 Improper (8) 30 Dignified (8) 31 Lack of success (7) 33 Belly button (5) 34 Mid-morning meal (6)

CRYPTIC CLUESACROSS: 9 However or wherever it's on display (2,3,4)10 Thomas and Leo are brawling. It's horrible (9)12 Shot back, mad (4)13 Show yourself to be an equal, in oratory (6)14 Big tots they're twins (7)15 Aired? (4-5)17 To begin with, had done wrong in having nagged at (7,2)18 Last stop the majority go to (7)19 Snaps the twigs (6)20 A card from the staff (4)23 Stress, on the trip back (5,4)25 Wonder what the bear will do? (9)26 Get the impression it's an instinctive aptitude for (4)27 Stumbles back with one, in the clutches of booze! (6)29 The British cheese assortment does appeal to one (7)32 Added to the silly scare that in the end I quashed (9)34 What the figurine's dress was carved from? (9)35 Standing honest (7)36 The whole network is with one again (6)37 From the City getting a call, call back (4)38 So the three misbehaving are given a warning (9)39 Disturbed to find it's not fixed (9)DOWN: 1 No dolly, she' the very

personification of efficiency! (8)2 Quite enjoyed being in jail? (3,1,4,4)3 Want to cover the pair performing in body decorations (3,5)4 Hang on it will be contingent upon (6)5 Flares are set off by the house, in the open (8)6 In which the king crab set up residence? (4,6)7 Pushes and hopes, but it's hard to get into (7)8 It's cold in winter, as one snuggles into the fur (10)11 Stewed, is greasy (5)16 He herded the animals right into the port (6)19 Book that woman! (3)21 Give the shivers to, or don't affect at all (5,3,4)22 Picks up and drives, being very careful with (4,2)23 It's the degree of complexity that's the snag (10)24 Work-place adversaries (10)25 The day one took the exam (3)28 Restored to favour, it is thought, again (8)29 Reinforce only the lock (8)30 Wasn't tongue-tied, one argued (3,5)31 The dogs start barking at the birds (7)33 Sculpt the figure, taking pains about it (5)34 Begin with the E in "ale" (3,3)

ACROSS4 Name the cavity at the upper end of the human windpipe (6)7 To be reluctant, is to be what (8)8 Name an insane person (6)9 What is a house of ill-fame (8)11 What is acute suffering (7)13 When one decapitates, one does what (7)15 Which protein hormone is secreted in the pancreas (7)17 Name an acquired male offspring (7)20 Which people refrain from noticing (8)23 To be crazy, is to be what (6)24 To have been taught, is to have been what (8)25 To have remained, is to have done what (6)

DOWN1 Name the legendary sweetheart of Leander (4)2 Name a card game for four players (6)3 What is a false god, as of a heathen people (4)4 Name a yellowish acid fruit (5)5 Name a naturally occurring radioactive metallic element (6)6 When one becomes closer, one does what (5)9 What are very young children (6)10 To be whipping, is to be doing what (7)12 Which dogs hunt by scent (6)14 To be uneven in quality, is to be what (6)16 To be imaginary, is to be what (6)18 What is larceny known as (5)19 To have lubricated, is to have done what (5)21 Name a part of speech (4)22 To sway about, is to do what (4)

ACROSS1 Take little notice of the face! It's only a front! (6)7 They're spotted both in Africa and in Asia (8)8 Make little noise when you steal their cattle! (6)9 It's fashionable to shed a tear to become less violent (8)10 It needs a name to remain in an institution (6)11 Pete and I find it flows but has the smallest range (4,4)14 I cry out in Southern Tasmania and find a place in church (8)18 Complains about the way he wins (6)19 Carry flour? Ugh! I need some time off! (8)21 Caught sight of a Greek scattering seed (6)22 It gets sicker and harder to escape from (8)23 To go back on a tip-off – but there is a way out (6)

DOWN1 Makes counterfeit for four Romans but receives a pardon (8)2 Ray went to Tasmania in a lost state (6)3 It takes men of steel to handle these weather conditions (8)4 Gee! Not young but how precious! (4)5 What a talker! Takes the rap for the decay evident (6)6 Ed was on a diet when he worked for the paper (6)12 Points at her way being fit for no place in particular (8)13 An ode about secret agents in serial form (8)15 It's sad how, in last month, they seemed so grown up! (6)16 Surviving despite having left in a trice (6)17 The Prime Minister accepts a rise with a silly smile (6)20 It takes the United Nations to make one (4)

ACROSS1 Crouch with knees bent (5) 8 Signify basically (4,4) 9 Of lesser importance (5)10 Never (2,2,4) 11 Arbour (5)12 Litigation (3)16 Closing scene (6)17 In conflict (2,4)18 Put to the test (3)23 Indolent person (5)24 Until this time (8)25 Purchaser (5)26 Traditional beliefs (8)27 Oneness (5)

DOWN2 Extravagantly chivalrous (8) All together (2,3,3) 4 Shakespeare's female advocate (6) 5 Despondency (5) 6 Funny (5)7 Derisive smile (5)12 Allow (3)13 Distance (3)14 Kind helpful action (4,4)15 Follower (8)19 Sharp reply (6)20 Remove with effort (5)21 Play for time (5)22 Beautiful woman (5)

Contract: 7♠ by South

Opening Lead: ♣K. What is your plan?

Recommended Line: Getting to the diamonds on table is relatively easy, but they give you just two discards. You need to get three clubs away. You could cash two spades in hand, and then unblock the hearts, hoping the defender with three hearts holds just two spades. Not today. It is quite a knot that you have to unravel. The solution is quite ingenious. Win the first trick, cash the ♠A and the ♠Q, followed by the ♥A. Then lead across to the ♠K. This draws their last trump, and allows you to cash two diamonds. On these, you discard ♥K and ♥Q. You then cash three top hearts in dummy, which allows you to get rid of your losing clubs. Simple, really. Once you see it, that is.

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TODAY’S SOLUTIONS:CRYPTIC: Across: 9 In any case. 10 Loathsome. 12 Stab (rev). 13 Appear (a peer). 14 Doubles. 15 Blow-dried. 17 Start-ed on. 18 End-most. 19 Shoots. 20 Club. 23 Drive home. 25 Speculate. 26 Feel. 27 Spir-I-t (rev). 29 B-eseech. 32 In-creas-ed. 34 Satin-wood. 35 Upright. 36 Ent-I-re. 37 EC-ho. 38 There-fore. 39 Un-settled.Down: 1 Miss-able. 2 Had a good time. 3 Wa-r pai-nt. 4 Depend. 5 Alfres-Co. 6 Sand castle. 7 T-H-rusts. 8 S-eason-able. 11 Oiled. 16 D-R-over. 19 She. 21 Leave you cold. 22 Runs in. 23 Difficulty. 24 Op-position. 25 Sat. 28 Re-deemed. 29 But-tress. 30 Had words. 31 B(arking)-eagles.

33 Car-V-e. 34 S-E-t-out.EASY: Across: 9 Inundated. 10 Toadstool. 12 Fate. 13 Corona. 14 Utilise. 15 Airy-fairy. 17 Derring-do. 18 Faculty. 19 Oregon. 20 Salt. 23 Pitchfork. 25 Miserable. 26 Oche. 27 Inform. 29 Ukulele. 32 Pineapple. 34 Battalion. 35 Rivulet. 36 Squawk. 37 Stub. 38 Tolerance. 39 Carnivore.Down: 1 Riffraff. 2 Butterscotch. 3 Atrocity. 4 Idiocy. 5 Straddle. 6 Salubrious. 7 Aspirin. 8 Bluebottle. 11 Owing. 16 Filthy. 19 Oak. 21 Abbreviation. 22 Trauma. 23 Prosperity. 24 Omnipotent. 25 Mum. 28 Overseer. 29 Untoward. 30 Ennobled. 31 Failure. 33 Navel. 34 Brunch.

TODAY’S SOLUTIONSAcross: 4 Larynx. 7 Begrudge 8 Madman. 9 Bordello. 11 Anguish. 13 Beheads. 15 Insulin. 17 Stepson. 20 Ignorers. 23 Mental. 24 Educated. 25 Stayed. Down: 1 Hero. 2 Bridge. 3 Idol. 4 Lemon. 5 Radium. 6 Nears. 9 Babies. 10 Lashing. 12 Hounds. 14 Spotty. 16 Unreal. 18 Theft. 19 Oiled. 21 Noun. 22 Reel.

TODAY’S SOLUTIONS:Across: 1 Squat. 8 Boil down. 9 Minor. 10 At no time. 11 Bower. 12 Law. 16 Finale. 17 At odds. 18 Try. 23 Idler. 24 Hitherto. 25 Buyer. 26 Folklore. 27 Unity. Down: 2 Quixotic. 3 As one man. 4 Portia. 5 Gloom. 6 Comic. 7 Sneer. 12 Let. 13 Way. 14 Good turn. 15 Adherent. 19 Retort. 20 Shift. 21 Stall. 22 Belle.

TODAY'S SOLUTIONS:Across: 1 Facade. 7 Leopards. 8 Rustle. 9 Moderate. 10 Inmate. 11 Neap tide. 14 Sacristy. 18 Whines. 19 Furlough. 21 Espied. 22 Stickier. 23 Egress. Down: 1 Forgives. 2 Astray. 3 Elements. 4 Gold. 5 Parrot. 6 Edited. 12 Anywhere. 13 Episodes. 15 Adults. 16 Relict. 17 Simper. 20 Unit.

J U M B O C R O S S W O R D

TREKNET Gavin Thomson and Dave Gomersall

HAGAR Dik Browne

NORTH ♠ K 9 2 ♥ J T 9 7 5 ♦ A K ♣ J 4 2WEST EAST ♠ 3 ♠ 8 6 4♥ 8 6 4 3 ♥ 2♦ J 9 7 6 3 ♦ Q T 8 5 4 2♣ K Q T ♣ 9 7 6 SOUTH ♠ A Q J T 7 5 ♥ A K Q ♦ Void ♣ A 8 5 3

ARKADY Dvorkovich, President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) in a recent interview by TASS news agency, spoke about the expectations of the upcoming online Olympiad, expressing hope that the Candidates Tournament would be finished in Yekaterinburg, and admitted that almost certainly the World Championship match would be postponed to 2021.He said that ‘until September, most of FIDE activities will be online. The main event is the Chess Olympiad, which will also be online. This year's Olympiad was supposed to be held in Khanty-Mansiysk and Moscow, but we moved it to next year. And this year we will stage an online Olympiad, and in two or three days the registration of national teams for the tournament will begin. We want as many teams as possible to take part in the tournament — we have 195 FIDE members. I don't know if all 195 teams can be involved...’He was determined to hold the second part of the Candidates Tournament in the autumn in Yekaterinburg.On the most important question he said ‘the match for the World Championship will almost certainly be postponed to the next year due to the current situation. We have already discussed this informally, and I think a formal decision will be made shortly. We are discussing various options — both spring and autumn 2021, but we will announce everything later.’* * *THE FIRST LEG of the Grand Prix Women's Speed Chess Championship ended on the 23rd June with Anna Ushenina from Ukraine declared the winner and the Russians Valentina Gunina and Alexandra Kosteniuk taking second and third places. The tournament is organized by FIDE and will end on July 20, 2020. * * *MAGNUS THE MAGNANIMOUS was the headline as Carlsen did the unthinkable: deliberately blundering his queen and losing in 4 moves during the Chessable Masters. The back story says a lot about the code of honour which should underlie all chess competition. His opponent, Ding Liren was playing from behind a fire-wall in China and had experienced several frustrating episodes where his internet line dropped. Magnus did not want to win that way: hence the sacrifice. You can follow it here by looking for: ‘Why Does Carlsen Resign on Move 4?’ on YouTube.* * * CHESS SOUTH AFRICA have had to publish amended meeting regulations for online meetings. The architects of the various constitutions currently in use throughout the chess community never anticipated such a situation and this was hampering the congregation of ExCo, ExBo and General Meetings where the physical presence of office bearers are required. You can read more about the regulation on www.chessa.co.za.* * * For online South African tournaments check facebook.com/SACHESSPLAYERS.* * *For news or comment write to thechessnik@gmail.com

White to move and mate in 3

Solution:1. Nxd5 Bg2 2. Qc4 Bh3 3. Nh4 mate!

PUZZLE BY BG Laws

N I C K B A R N E T T C H E S S