Contents

2 Kibitzing with the Poisoned Pawn

7 Alternative Histories
Justin Horton

10 A Switzerland of the Sargasso: The 25th Bermuda Open
Osama len Baden and Nick de Firmian

16 The Long Game Rules
Torturer’s apprentice Luke McShane turns the screw

23 Is the World’s Flag about to Fall
Sam Aldridge explores the bizarre universe of former Brazilian prodigy Mecking

26 Emil Sutovsky’s Creative Chess
The best combo Vishy’s ever seen

29 Gary Lane’s Agony Column
More sound advice from the shrewd IM

32 Grandmaster Preparation
GMs Andres Rodriguez, Rafael Leitao, Ivan Sokolov and Emanuel Berg discuss professional hazards

48 The Mysteries of Chess Finally Solved! World, Meet the Alien Theory
Olimpiu G. Urcan on crazy Kirsan

51 Book Reviews
Justin Horton reviews:

Chess Results 1951-1955 and 1956-1960
100 Endgames You Must Know
Critical Moments in Chess
Find the Right Plan with AnatolyKarpov
Chicago 1926 and Lake Hopatcong 1926
Chess Tournaments
Julius Finn: a chess master’s life in
America, 1871-1931
Why We Lose at Chess
Play Chess Like the Pros
Improve Your Chess at Any Age

The KGB Plays Chess: The Soviet Secret Police and the Fight for the World Chess Crown reviewed by Sarah Hurst

63 Kazamundo: Vanquisher de los viejos y los jóvenes
Kaz Sussman

Arne Moll, ChessVibes:
"My favourite publication of the summer of 2011."

Edward Winter, Chess Notes:
"‘Publication of the British magazine Kingpin is always an eagerly-awaited event."

M.K. Lee, Kuala Lumpur:
"Excellent production quality and content (..) the only chess magazine worth buying besides NIC"