6 The World Champion

A new Russian film based on the controversial 1978 World Championship match between Karpov and Kortchnoi.

8 NIC’s Café 

What a great gift Nona Gaprindashvili (80) received from Lionel Messi (10)! 

11 Your Move

Enjoy the ‘Letter of the Month’ and win a prize yourself next time.

12 Budapest or bust

Abhi Mishra is the youngest GM ever at 12 years, 4 months and 25 days. A talk with the prodigy and his father. And Abhi annotates his best game.

20 Mamedyarov’s hattrick

A flash in the pan of three ­subsequent wins sufficed for Shakhriyar ­Mamedyarov to claim the Superbet Classic in Bucharest and take home the $90,000 winner’s fee.

24 Fair & Square

‘Chess is the triumph of mental organization over complex experience.’ At least, that’s what Robert M. Pirsig found.

34 Interview: Sam Shankland

‘People say, don’t blame the players who make the short draws, blame the format. I’ve always thought you can blame the players.’ This and many more outspoken views by the former US Champion.

48 FTX Crypto Cup

When Wesley So resigned the final Armageddon game, Magnus Carlsen roared with delight and pumped his fists ecstatically. He described his victory as ‘a massive, massive relief’.

51 Celeb64: Daniil Medvedev

64 The Marvel of Morphy

Paul Morphy (1837-1884) remains one of the greatest champions of all time. A look at a dazzling career and the Morphy collection of David DeLucia.

74 Youth gone wild

The 49th edition of the World Open in Philadelphia brought Hans Niemann ‘all the privileges and honours that the title brings’ plus $12,221.50.

84 Maximize Your Tactics

Find the right moves.

86 Judit Polgar on Magnus

The Queen of Chess looks at the lessons she learned from the current World Champion.

91 What would you play?

Test your decision-making skills with Thomas ‘Toolbox’ Willemze.

96 Fifty Shades of Ray

‘He has a great knack of putting a lively perspective on events.’ Jan Timman has always liked Raymond Keene’s style of writing and enjoyed his latest book.

100 Sadler on Books

If you haven’t decided on your summer reading yet, our book reviewer has some tasty suggestions.

105 They are The Champions

Patricia Castillo Pena is the national women’s champion of the Dominican Republic.

106 Just Checking

Which three people would Peter Wells like to invite for dinner?