REBECCA ROOD'S MAILBAG..............................

• Dear Rebecca....... Is it possible in tournament events to be both competitive and considerate towards your opponents? ............Yours a tad unsure......Tobias Fitzwilliam
• Dear T....... In a word "No". If competitions are to be taken seriously there is no room for sentiment. One is required to adopt a win-at-all-cost attitute, with no prisoners taken. This in turn requires you to ruthlessly exploit the mistakes, weaknesses...and transgressions.....of those who seek to do the same to you. It's dog eat dog out there in the competitive arenas of big tournament events. The secret to success is to get your strikes in first. However, I would suggest that you also try to adopt a convincing facade of politeness, alongside a dollop of cunning charm..............Yours always a wolf in sheep's clothing..........Rebecca