HOROSCOPE

Horoscope.com

Friday, April 14, 2023

ARIES — You’re peerless when it comes to your ability to sway others to your point of view, Aries. Today you may be put on the spot and asked to defend a position in front of many people. You will do just fine, surprising everyone but you. You handle a microphone with ease and work an audience until they’re putty in your hands. You could sell anything!

TAURUS — Don’t be surprised if you get a sudden windfall today, Taurus. It may come in the form of cash. More likely it will be an opportunity of some kind. Perhaps a business partner has suggested you branch into a more lucrative area. Perhaps you decide to go into business for yourself. Whatever it is, you’re bound to succeed.

GEMINI — You have a quick mind, Gemini, which you don’t use to anywhere near its full capacity. Think of your brain as a thoroughbred horse, trained to run at high speed. This type of animal is miserable if kept penned up, unable to run and stretch. Your mind needs similar room to stretch and grow.

CANCER — A day off is just what the doctor ordered, Cancer. Try to get some rest. Spend time curled up with a good book. Only go out with friends if you’re feeling absolutely stir crazy. You should do no work. Your body and spirit crave a break. Take care of your basic need to refresh yourself. Everything else will fall into place afterward.

LEO — With today’s planetary energies, Leo, you can expect a lot of contact with friends. In fact, just when you thought you’d never receive another invitation or attend another party, one comes your way. Even though you may feel partied out right now, resist the urge to decline. You’re likely to meet a very interesting person at this next bash.

VIRGO — You have a keen intellect and unparalleled persuasive powers, Virgo. If you aren’t an attorney, you should be. All signs indicate that your career is about to skyrocket. Career and financial success are pretty much guaranteed with today’s planetary configuration. If you have a mate to share this good fortune with, consider

By FRANK STEWART Tribune Content Agency

Friday, April 14, 2023

A player at my club, one of our members of the Jewish faith, and I were talking about Hanukkah and the menorah miracle — when the oil in the lamp inexplicably lasted eight days. “I can identify with it,” my friend said. “I recreate that miracle when my tube of toothpaste is about gone.”

Today’s declarer had to squeeze out 10 tricks at four hearts. He seemed to have only nine — and a spade, a diamond and two clubs to lose. At Trick Two, West shifted to a trump, and South drew trumps with the A-K and led a club. West took his ace and led a third club to dummy.

PLAYS LOW

South next led a trump to his hand and returned the five of spades. West had to play low, and the king won. South then took two more trumps.

With four tricks left, West was strip-squeezed. He had to keep his queen of diamonds guarded and so bared his ace of spades. So South exited with a spade, and West had to lead a diamond, conceding the contract. It was no miracle by South, just good play.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: A J 7 6 3

You open one spade, your partner responds two hearts, you bid 2NT and he rebids yourself doubly blessed.

LIBRA — Your mental powers should be especially acute today, Libra. Your mind will be quick and receptive and your communicative abilities exceptionally sharp. You feel on top of the world, as though you could sell anything to anybody! Make the most of this surge of intellectual power by beginning any new projects you’ve been considering.

SCORPIO — Your creativity will be high today, Scorpio, inspiring you to paint or write. If you’re unable to take time to satisfy your muse, at least take some small steps to ensure your abilities don’t lie fallow. How about signing up for a class or joining a writing group? The ongoing contact and support will give your talents a big boost.

SAGITTARIUS — Today you’re going to want to shut out the world and be alone with your thoughts, Sagittarius. You’re caught up in the introspective energies at play. You may not be very cooperative, and may even wish to spend time on more solitary activities. Indulge yourself. You might want to take time alone to meditate.

CAPRICORN — Today indicates that you can expect to make a leap in your career, Capricorn. Your intellect and communicative skills have served you well in the past months, paving the way for advancement. You may decide to try hard to be sure the promotion occurs.

AQUARIUS — If you’ve been considering a career in writing or teaching, Aquarius, this is an ideal day to put some plans into motion. Your imagination and inspiration are highlighted, as is your facility with words. This combination pretty much guarantees that you could sell anything to anyone. If you’re ready to pitch a book proposal to a publisher, do it now.

PISCES — You aren’t one to put much stock in the meanings of dreams, but you may have had a dream recently that was so accurate in its prediction as to be almost scary. Certainly it was uncanny. Write down everything you remember about it and then discuss the images with a friend. Don’t worry, Pisces, your friend won’t laugh at you.

Sudoku

Codeword Puzzle

INSTRUCTIONS

Fill in the grid so every row, every column and every 3-by-3 grid contains the digits 1 through 9. that means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box.

Sudoku puzzles appear on the Diversions page Monday-Saturday and on the crossword solutions page in Saturday’s Life section.

Crossword Puzzle

Answers to previous CODEWORD

How to play Codeword

Codeword is a fun game with simple rules, and a great way to test your knowledge of the English language. Every number in the codeword grid is ‘code’ for a letter of the alphabet. Thus, the number 2 may correspond to the letter L, for instance. All puzzles come with a few letters to start. Your first move should be to enter these letters in the puzzle grid. If the letter S is in the box at the bottom of the page underneath the number 2, your first move should be to find all cells numbered 2 in the grid and enter the letter S. Cross the letter S off the list at the bottom of the grid. Remember that at the end you should have a different letter of the alphabet in each of the numbered boxes 1- 26, and a word in English in each of the horizontal and vertical runs on the codeword grid.

Puzzle

three hearts. What do you say?

ANSWER: Partner suggests long hearts — a six-card or maybe a sevencard suit — but minimum values for a two-level response. (Even in a style where a two-over-one response forces to game, many pairs treat this sequence as not forcing.) You have some prime cards. Raise to four hearts.

West dealer