Can't get it online this morning. The Spectator has posted the chess column as the crossword in error. Have e-mailed Doc. I will check again later. I know that we are all desperate.
Hi crucifernz, the answer is callop (reversed pollack without the "k")
Perhaps you can help me with 2d, one of the "dates". It has to be December and I have googled so many languages but, so far, I cannot find this one : ?HAG?Y?