New In Chess 2021/8

6 Ferrari Speed Chess
Formula 1 stars Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz share another passion where full concentration is required.

8 NIC’s Café
The girls in the McDonald’s ad ‘Bishop takes Fries’ know: ‘It’s fun to beat the older guys.’

10 Your Move
Last time Chess15 was suggested as a much better idea than Chess960. Turns out it’s actually Chess17.

12 Great chess in Grand Swiss
First the Grand Swiss was moved from Isle of Man to Riga and then Latvia went into lockdown. But the games began anyway! In a carefully protected bubble, 100-odd GMs vied for two Candidates spots.

15 Celeb64: Manny Pacquiao

42 Adult improvement
Don’t always just look for your mistakes in your game. Look for yourself in the moves of the game, says James Altucher.

44 Wesley So stays US Champion
In crystal-clear notes Wesley So takes a closer look at the two tense tiebreak games that brought him his third title and shares his thoughts on a championship with a long and rich tradition.

54 One of a kind
Seeking unconventional ideas and playing risky, baffling games, Manuel Bosboom is a chess artist that pleases the crowd. Peter Boel portrays a unique master, a ‘chess buccaneer’ like no one else.

61 Fair & Square
An exchange of tweets between Manny Pacquiao and Magnus Carlsen.

62 Vitiugov Russian Champion
In his 15th ‘attempt’ at the title, Nikita Vitiugov made a dream come true.

66 Magnus Carlsen teaches chess
It’s all about getting your pieces to the best squares.

70 Maximize Your Tactics
Find the right moves.

72 Forever young
As Jan Timman turns 70, Judit Polgar congratulates a legendary world-class player and a dear friend.

79 What would you play?
Test your decision-making skills with Thomas ‘Toolbox’ Willemze.

84 Sadler on Books
Matthew Sadler thoroughly enjoyed biographical books about two lesser known chess players (5 stars!).

90 Pawn breakthroughs
Surya Ganguly takes a closer look at a strategic tactic that can change a game dramatically.

96 Crazy games
Two roller-coaster clashes in the Grand Swiss in Riga made Jan Timman wonder why he is regularly asked to name his best game and never his craziest game.

105 They are the Champions
Ndriqona Saraci is the national women’s champion of Kosovo.

106 Just Checking
What is Ben Johnson’s life motto?