- Just enjoyed reading the section on chess from Around the World in 80 Games: A mathematician unlocks the secrets of the greatest games. Author and mathematican Marcus du Sautoy gave an interesting account of the history of chess and its origins over 8.5 pages with a mathematical perspective.
- Recommenced working on Mindful Mixed Puzzles: Over 600 puzzles. This fantastic ring bound book has 8 types of puzzles and so far I have only worked on two types of puzzles: the Word Square and the Word Chain.
- Found a small
Simply Word Fill-InsPuzzler brand magazine issue number 87 with 100 puzzles from 2024 which cost $6.95 AUD. Whilst I did enjoy completing two fill-ins, I found it was really easy to complete them since the answers were given and you just had to fill-in the grid. I definitely prefer a much harder challenge. - Opened a Spider-Man brand LEGO minifigure which cost $5 AUD from Coles Supermarket. There are 12 to collect and each minifigure comes in a blind pick small cardboard box. This one was the
Spider-Byteminifigure the last packet on the shelf.
- Currently working on some of the puzzles from the magazine "Christine's Big Crossword" Issue 392.
This magazine has 28+ giant puzzles and cost $9.50 AUD.
Lovatts Crosswords and Puzzlesis a family run business that sells a number of different puzzle magazines - I am up to puzzle 16 from The Times Chess Winning Moves: 540 Chess Puzzles from Tournament Play. Really enjoyed the first 15 puzzles and the commentary from author Byron Jacobs. Published in 2025 most puzzles are from modern games with the first intro puzzle being a Magnus Carslen victory. The Times is a British daily national newspaper based in London.
- I have read 50 pages of the famous book Minute Cryptic a bestseller that teaches you how to solve cryptic crossword clues. Check out the Minute Cryptic YouTube Channel
- Currently reading Checkmate! The Wonderful World of Chess by author John Foley up to page 42. A glossy colorful and easy to read 112 page book aimed at beginners and children full of illustrations.
- I'm happy with the QX Chess small magnetic foldable chess board that I am now using on my work desk. No. QX2677 with black and white pieces and black and gray colored squares originally bought for $10 AUD
Some notable clues and answers from various publications
- Fuel exploded in tube. (4). Flue
- Loves cracking answer. (5). Solve
- Pay no attention to damaged region. (6). Ignore
- Opening book beside Central Park tavern. (3). Bar
- Leaves note with answer. (3). Tea
- European ruler beheaded mathematician. (5). Euler
- Vegetable found in vehicle along with rubbish. (6). Carrot
- Nun with grin switched on. (7). Running
- PC's speed makes music session a failure. (8). Gigaflop
- Everything's ready: eg lass mostly prepared. (3,7,2). All systems go
- Modern, before sixty seconds have passed. (2,2,3,6). Up to the minute
- Sound asleep but not in when Dracula arrives? (3,3,3,5). Out for the count