Hunt and Howl

Anand is on two and a half points to Topalov's one and a half after the first four games. I hope Topalov is able to come back as he certainly went in fighting with a win in the first game. Anand's blunder at the end could have been interpreted as nerves. This is the first real challenge to his throne; Kramnik, as brilliant as he has been in his time and certainly the one living player whose games have inspired me the most, was past his prime when he rematched. Topalov is no doubt - as in the picture - perched like a bird of prey, patiently preparing to take his quarry. Anand, however, has shown his strength since the first game and isn't going to let his title slip away. Will he keep his seat warm for Carlsen?

Game five tomorrow.

The Bulgarian Cometh

http://www.anand-topalov.com/

Analysis

Fairydell

What Would George Smiley Do?

"What games did you think you were playing, you two? Do you think you can flirt with powers like theirs, give a little and not give all? Do you think that you can stop the dance - control the strength you give them? What dreams did you cherish, Mrs Fennan, that had so little of the world in them?"

Le Carre - Call For The Dead

Dinosaur Blossom

To Infinity and Beyond

Saturday was a beautiful day. George and I went to Stockton as I'd wanted to have a walk by the river for some time. I cross it ten times a week and whatever I'm reading I always stop to have a look at the river.

We had a wander through the market and had some food up on the steps of a monument. We ran into our friend Darren and had some coffee and apple juice. George showed Darren his new glasses and for a while forgot he had them on, dancing round in front of people and checking out a Harley Davison parked on the pavement.

We said goodbye to Darren and headed down to the river. I hadn't seen Infinity Bridge up close, so we headed for that. From Infinity Bridge you can see the Tees Barrage, so we headed for that. From the Barrage you can see Newport Bridge, so we headed for that. From there you're back in Middlesbrough, which is home. So we headed for that.

Between the quiet industrial roads and the railway track over the border we came upon what at first appeared to be a Japanese cemetery, but which turned out to be a hillside army of baby trees, planted with pieces of pipe around them to protect their growing. George greeted many of them with an encouraging shake to life and a hello baby tree.

Phonographs

Praesidium

Tomorrow, the ninth of April, will mark a year without smoking.