New In Chess 2026/4

6 Chessfest 

8 NIC’s Café 

From a sickening Russian attack on a chess school in Ukraine, via Judit’s lunch with the Terminator, to the FIDE presidential elections. 

16 Searching for the real Gukesh 

Successfully hanging on to an early lead, Alireza Firouzja became the winner of the Chennai Grand Masters. There was plenty of captivating chess – as witness our extensive games section – but the main topic of conversation was once again the man who finished last, the out-of-form World Champion. 

27 Celeb 64 

The new head coach of Manchester City, Enzo Maresca. 

48 The Magnus Mountain 

Over the past 15 years, no fewer than twelve different players have reached the number two spot in the world rankings. The top spot has been the exclusive domain of just one player: Magnus Carlsen. 

54 Why is he really the best? 

Peter Heine Nielsen sees Magnus Carlsen’s double victories in the World Rapid & Blitz Championships as eminent proof of the Norwegian’s overall dominance. 

68 All-round Aronian 

Levon Aronian showed a much-welcomed return to form as he crowned his debut in the Biel Chess Festival with a win in the Grandmasters Triathlon. 

72 Kazakhstan Rising 

Boris Gelfand’s choice pick of fascinating recent games from around the world. 

88 A Tribute to Danya 

An incredible number of top grandmasters, content creators and other friends came to the Charlotte Chess Center to honor the memory of Daniel Naroditsky. 

100 King Safety 

No matter what advantage you have, it may amount to little or nothing if your king is under threat. 

109 The Killer Blow 

111 Fair & Square 

112 The Scoresheet 

Unzicker-Fischer, Buenos Aires 1960. 

114 New Tries in Old Openings 

Nikolaos Ntirlis presents four practical opening ideas from current tournament practice that promise good play; two for White and two for Black. 

118 The Model Game 

Sound positional play and relentless pressure: How football imitates chess. 

122 Sadler on Books 

Our book reviewer celebrates the endgame and much-missed authors on the subject. 

130 Just Checking 

What is Nihal Sarin’s biggest fear?