6 NIC’s Café

Can you do what it sounds like in Blitz Society, the new chess-themed hotspot in Paris?

8 Your Move

Chess960 has a huge following. But isn’t Chess15 a much better idea, our Letter of the Month wonders.

10 Match preview

Ilya Levitov weighs the chances of World Champion Magnus Carlsen and his Challenger, Ian Nepomniachtchi.

14 The tale of the tape

A match preview in facts and figures.

16 Interview

Ian Nepomniachtchi speaks about childhood memories, coaches, Dota 2, Magnus, cats and dogs, and more.

22 Meltwater Tour Final

Magnus Carlsen alternated brilliancies with lesser moments, but the bonus points that he had started with proved to be a comfortable cushion.

34 Interview

Magnus Carlsen has thought about it: ‘My biggest advantage in the match is that I am better at chess.’

36 Fast forward Van Foreest

At the Tepe Sigeman tournament the Dutchman showed great form.

47 Fair & Square

Acclaimed playwright Tom Stoppard knows what he will do if he retires.

48 Adult improvement

Is it really possible? James Altucher tells you how to go about it.

50 War with pieces

Anish Giri was unstoppable in the Tolstoy Memorial at Yasnaya Polyana.

60 It’s not over till…

His start was slow, but then Magnus Carlsen scored four straight wins to win Norway

Chess ahead of Alireza Firouzja and Richard Rapport.

74 Nona’s Gambit

Nona Gaprindashvili feels insulted by a comment in The Queen’s Gambit and has filed a lawsuit against Netflix.

78 Magnus Carlsen teaches chess

Does the rook always belong behind the pawn in the ending?

80 Maximize Your Tactics

Find the right moves.

82 Beauty is a feast

Judit Polgar loves chess studies.

87 What would you play?

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

92 Sadler on Books

Our book reviewer looks at the latest harvest.

98 Two fighters

Jan Timman takes a closer look at two newcomers in the world top-10.

101 Celeb64: Dmitry Shostakovich

105 They are The Champions

Victor Ebosse Kingue is the national champion of Cameroon.

106 Just Checking

Who is David Smerdon’s favourite chess player?