06.22.08 -- Chess -- the Acrostic

Sunday, June 22, 2008

ACROSTIC, Puzzle by Emily Cox & Henry Rathvon

Today’s quotation is from Paul Hoffman’s “King’s Gambit: A Son, a Father, and the World’s Most Dangerous Game“.

The original quote reads: “Fischer’s adversaries knew that he derived unwholesome pleasure from ravishing them. “I like to see ‘em squirm,“ he famously said. When Fischer was alone in a hotel room, psyching himself up for a tournament game, people in the hall would hear him should comic-book words -- Slam! Bam! Zowie! -- as he banged pieces down on the board.“

The quotation as it appears in the acrostic: FISCHERS ADVERSARIES KNEW THAT HE DERIVED UNWHOLESOME PLEASURE FROM RAVISHING THEM WHEN HE WAS ALONE PSYCHING HIMSELF UP FOR A GAME PEOPLE WOULD HEAR HIM SHOUT SLAM BAM ZOWIE AS HE BANGED PIECES DOWN ON THE BOARD

The author’s name and the title of the work: PAULHOFFMANKINGSGAMBIT

The defined words: PAWNSHOP (A. Business symbolized by three gold globes hanging from a bar); ARCHBISHOP (B. Wearer of a cassock, rochet and zucchetto); UPPERHAND (C. Position of advantage or control [2 wds.]); LEASHLAW (D. Neighborhood restraining order? [2 wds.]); HIGHHEELS (E. Means of gaining an inch or two [2 wds.]); OLDWIVES (F. Proverbial purveyors of tales [2 wds.]); FRESHWATER (G. Concern of a limnologist [2 wds.]); FANNING (H. Guinslinger’s technique for rapid fire; means of displaying playing cards); MOTOR (I. Supplier of power or speed); AWESOME (J. Enough to elicit a “Wow!”); NOFLYZONE (K. Militarily restricted airspace [hyph., 2 wds.]); KHRUSHCHEV (L. Premier when Mikhail Tal was chess champ); ICELANDER (M. One hosting the 1972 Spassky match); NAMEDROP (N. Be a pretentious conversationalist [hyph.]; GIFTHORSE (O. Something that shouldn’t be looked at too closely [2 wds.]); SEESAWED (P. Had a few ups and downs); GOAHEAD (Q. Signal to proceed as planned [hyph.]); AMADEUS (R. Oscar-winning film about a boorish prodigy); MUSEUM (S. Where past things are present); BEEHIVE (T. Home of a pampered queen); IMMOBILE (U. Unable to budge); TWISTER (V. Scene in “The Wizard of Oz”; party entertainment since 1966).

“I am the best player in the world and I am here to prove it." -- Bobby Fischer

As previously noted in above links, Bobby Fischer died this January at the age of 64. A fascinating obituary appeared in The New York Times, January 18, 2008 -- Bobby Fischer, Chess Master, Dies at 64.

Click on image to enlarge.

Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES -- Crossword Puzzles and Games

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