New In Chess magazine #6 has been published and is available for everybody to enjoy. There is of course extensive coverage of the Olympiad, but we also look back on Magnus Carlsen's decision not to defend his title and dive a little deeper in the FIDE elections through a breakdown of 10 questions. Besides that, we have our usual contributors James Altucher, Judit Polgar, Matthew Sadler, and Jan Timman. And much more!
Understandable or incredible?
Why is the World Champion giving up his title? Why does he pass on another multi-million-dollar match? Magnus Carlsen’s announcement that he will not play Challenger Ian Nepomniachtchi has sent shock waves through the chess world. Five experts shine their light on a decision with far-reaching consequences.
Chennai Olympiad
Some 1500 years after the game mysteriously and magically originated there, chess returned to India on an epic scale. In the nation’s chess capital, Chennai, the home of former World Champion – and now FIDE Vice-President – Vishy Anand, teams from 186 countries gathered to celebrate the 44th Olympiad. Between a lavish opening ceremony attended by India’s Prime Minister Modi and an even more spectacular four-hour closing ceremony, the fighting on the chess boards resulted in an outcome that no one could have predicted. Seeded only 14th, the youngsters of Uzbekistan took gold, ahead of Armenia and the hosts’ ‘junior’ team, India 2. MARIA EMELIANOVA shares her impressions of an Olympiad that will be remembered for a long time.
Interview: Gukesh
The absolute headliner of the Chennai Olympiad was 16-year-old Gukesh, the leader of the host’s ‘junior team’, India 2. His stunning run of eight consecutive wins was one for the ages, and his gold medal on Board 1 provided further proof of his incredible potential. In an interview with DIRK JAN TEN GEUZENDAM, the Indian star speaks freely about his self-confidence, his ambitions, and his role model, ‘Anand sir’. And while doing so, he extends a big thank-you to Gata Kamsky.
Other stories to enjoy and lessons to be learned:
- Glory to Ukraine in Women’s Olympiad. Gold medals bring pride to a war-torn country
- The World Champion took first place in Miami, despite a last-round loss to rising star Praggnanandhaa. PETER HEINE NIELSEN takes a closer look at a game with an unusual finish and two remarkable fragments.
- JAMES ALTUCHER's adventures in Adult Improvement: The learning difference between DOING (and then analyzing what you DID) and simply STUDYING (without doing) is enormous.
- There is no chess event that exemplifies FIDE’s motto Gens Una Sumus better than the Olympiad. Commentating for the official broadcast from Chennai, JUDIT POLGAR had a first-hand view of the action and had the particular pleasure of watching lower-rated players upsetting favorites.
- As he was following the engine world championships and musing about Magnus Carlsen’s decision not to defend his title, MATTHEW SADLER was inevitably thinking about openings a lot. Fortunately, there was a fine selection of new opening books waiting to be savoured and enjoyed.
- Youngsters from India and Uzbekistan and a 38-year-old Olympiad ‘veteran’ from Armenia. JAN TIMMAN looks at players that called the tune in Chennai. Did you know that Gukesh’s interest in endgames is such that he even composes endgame studies?
- Thomas Willemze improves your decision-making skills
- Max Notkin maximizes your tactics
- and much more
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Digital edition
There is also a digital edition available. For €11.99 you will get immediate access to issue 2022#6.
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