As with Hay Festival, there are events that defy expectations. Usually they are free. Such is one as I write this in Mantova.

As I posted last time, I have, indeed, played chess with Boris. To be frank, there were 25 players. I am grateful that I wasn’t out first. I was out second. About 3 moves in, I realised that I was going to be out but I did manage to last for a whole hour and a half. It’s now 11.40 and there are about 10 people still left. It has a crowd of people that are still there, standing behind the players, riveted to a game that can hardly be described as riveting. But there you go. There’s a kid of about 12 still playing. We were trying to work out whether Boris was being kind or the kid was good. I guess we’ll never know.

Johan, a Swedish guy who is working for the Festival, sat next to me. He is still there. His strategy – get his Queen and then get his ‘horses’ as they are difficult to handle, you can’t tell where they are going to go!

He’s down to one rook, his King and a few pawns – but, then, so is Boris!

Anthony Beevor lasted for over 2 hours and, as he said to us, there was a moment where he thought that all he had to do was make a couple of moves and that would be that. Ah well, nice dream, if only for a moment or two.

So, I’m in the Festival office, with a nice glass of wine (Chianti, that M opened for us) and writing the blog. I have other stories and I will write them up in the next week or so.

But, can I say, what a great night it’s been. One of the most enjoyable that I’ve had here. Unfortunately, this is our last night as we’re back to Milan tomorrow and, whereas I love Milan, this is always great.