Game eight of the World Championship in New York broke the deadlock of hard-fought draws in the first seven games. Carlsen employed a closed variation of the queen’s pawn opening which had, in the past, been popularised both by Johannes Zukertort and Akiba Rubinstein. The opening merged into a level but still fertile middlegame. At
White to play. This position is from Rubinstein-Johner, Carlsbad 1911. How did Rubinstein gain a winning position with a standard tactical device? We regret that because of the Christmas printing schedule, this is not a prize puzzle. Last week’s solution 1 Nf6+ Last week’s winner Ray Fisher, Buxton, Derbyshire
But yet afraid to strike, as Alexander Pope would doubtless have described the first seven games of the World Championship currently in progress in New York. It is not that there has been a dearth of opportunity, just a frustrating lack of realisation. Like Marshall Grouchy at the Battle of Waterloo, no sooner are the
White to play. This is from Karjakin-Carlsen, World Championship, New York (Game 7) 2016. This position will be dead equal unless White plays a specific move which offers him a slight advantage. What move? Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 29 November or via email to victoria@spectator.co.uk. There is a prize of £20
The early games of the World Championship in New York between Magnus Carlsen and Sergei Karjakin did little to contribute to the gaiety of nations. In the first two games both contestants seemed more anxious to display their ability to avoid loss than to strive heroically for a win. If the two were ‘willing to
White to play. This is a position from Topalov-Caruana, St Louis 2016. Can you spot White’s crushing blow? Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 22 November or via email to victoria@spectator.co.uk. There is a prize of £20 for the first correct answer out of a hat. Please include a postal address and allow
The World Championship in New York begins this week. In the run-up, the defending champion, Magnus Carlsen of Norway, has been the heavy favourite to retain his title against Sergei Karjakin, formerly representing the Ukraine but now playing for Russia. Their lifetime score at classical time limits, under which the New York contest will be conducted,
White to play. This is a position from Carlsen-Shirov, Biel 2011. Can you spot Carlsen’s crushing blow? Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 15 November or via email to victoria@spectator.co.uk. There is a prize of £20 for the first correct answer out of a hat. Please include a postal address and allow six
Black to play. This position is from Nakamura-Carlsen, chess.com Blitz Final 2016. The position looks quiet but after Black’s next move White resigned at once. Can you see it? Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 8 November or via email to victoria@spectator.co.uk. There is a prize of £20 for the first correct answer
Last week I previewed the respective chances of world champion Magnus Carlsen and his challenger Sergey Karjakin for their forthcoming championship bout in New York. Now I take a look at what drives Magnus and what primarily distinguishes his approach to chess from that of his rival. Karjakin has a powerful, conventional style. Well versed in
White to play. This is from Lasker–Teichmann, St Petersburg 1909. Black had already resigned this game as he could anticipate White’s crushing blow. What had he foreseen? Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 1 November or via email to victoria@spectator.co.uk. There is a prize of £20 for the first correct answer out of
The polls are in for next month’s big event in the USA and Magnus Carlsen has emerged the clear favourite in his world title defence against Sergey Karjakin. Indeed, the Norwegian world champion leads by five wins to one in the classical format used in New York. The match is organised by Agon and the
White to play. This position is a variation from Carlsen-Karjakin, Monaco 2011. Although White is a rook up he only has one move to ensure victory. What is it? Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 25 October or via email to victoria@spectator.co.uk. There is a prize of £20 for the first correct answer
I first encountered the Triskelion, the traditional coat of arms of the Isle of Man, when I saw Laurence Oliver’s film of Shakepeare’s Richard III. At the crucial Battle of Bosworth, Lord Stanley, the Earl of Derby and feudal lord of the Isle of Man switches sides and betrays Richard. His three-legged triskelion banners are seen
White to play. This position is from Mamedyarov-Kramnik, Moscow 2016. White’s next concluded the game. What was it? Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 18 October or via email to victoria@spectator.co.uk. There is a prize of £20 for the first correct answer out of a hat. Please include a postal address and allow
White to play. This is from Tal-Botvinnik, World Championship (Game 12), Moscow 1961. Tal’s next move did not force an immediate win but gained sufficient material for him to prevail. What was it? Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 11 October or via email to victoria@spectator.co.uk. There is a prize of £20 for
As I write, the Mikhail Tal Memorial tournament in Moscow is still underway. The Dutch grandmaster Anish Giri stormed into an early lead, winning three games out of his first five. But he was toppled when coming to grief in the following dramatic situation. Aronian-Giri: Tal Memorial Moscow 2016 (see diagram 1) White has
Mikhail Tal, the Wizard from Riga, was one of the most devastating tacticians in the history of chess. His rise to become world champion was meteoric and included an equally devastating first prize in the 1959 Candidates tournament as well as demolition of the incumbent champion Mikhail Botvinnik in their 1960 title contest. Tal’s
Black to play. This position is a variation from Gelfand-Mamedyarov, Tal Memorial Blitz 2016. Black has various strong moves but only one forces checkmate. Can you see it? Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 4 October or via email to victoria@spectator.co.uk. There is a prize of £20 for the first correct answer out
The 42nd Chess Olympiad in Baku, Azerbaijan, ended in a narrow victory for the USA. Having tied with Ukraine, the American team qualified for the gold medals by virtue of a superior tie-break. The critical factor in the American success, their first gold medals in the Olympiad since 1976, was the acquisition for the team
