| KASPAROV | 1996-97 Deep Blue opponent |
| GRAY | Blue opponent |
| TROTSKY | Run against the blue opponent of Stalinism (7) |
| COTON | Tony .., 1978-84 Birmingham, 1984-90 Watford, 1990-96 Manchester City, 1996 Manchester United and 1996-97 Sunderland goalkeeper (5) |
| HOUSTON | Stewart, QPR manager from 1996-97 (7) |
| IVERSON | 1996-'97 NBA Rookie of the Year |
| ZOLA | Gianfranco ___, 1996-97 FWA Footballer of the Year (4) |
| JOPPY | William ?, WBA Middleweight champion from 1996-97 (5) |
| REID | Robin ?, WBC Super Middleweight champion from 1996-97 (4) |
| MOORER | Michael ___, IBF Heavyweight champion from 1996-97 (6) |
| TERRYVENABLES | Socceroos' 1996-97 English coach (5,8) |
| LAUDRUP | Brian ....... , 1996-97 SFWA Footballer of the Year (7) |
| INK | Short-lived 1996-97 Ted Danson sitcom |
| MOLBY | 1996-97 Swansea City FC manager (3,5) |
| ROBINREID | 1996-97 WBC Super Middleweight champion |
| ROBIN | 1996-97 WBC Super Middleweight champion (5,4) |
| ANGELAS | 1996-97 best seller "___ Ashes" |
| JORGE | 1990-98 Portugal and 1996-97 Celtic striker (5) |
| BRIVE | Winners of the 1996/97 Heineken Cup (5) |
| JAN | and 17dn, 1996-97 Swansea City FC manager |
