Content NIC’s Café Your Move End of an Era Two decades of unparalleled ­generosity came to an end with the 20th Amber Blindfold and Rapid Tournament. For the farewell edition Dutch Maecenas Joop van Oosterom and his wife Muriel invited the cream of chess to return to Monaco, the traditional home of ‘Amber’. In the suave luxury of the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort, the inimitable Levon Aronian repeated his victories of 2008 and 2009. Interview: Viktor Kortchnoi The strongest octogenarian in chess history doesn’t shy away from any subject. ‘Maybe in a way I am envious of these young players. At their age I played worse than they do.’ And he does worry about his future as a chess player. Trainer Turns Champion At the European Championship in Aix-les-Bains last year’s champion Ian Nepomniachtchi was succeeded by his trainer Vladimir Potkin, who burst away with 5 out of 5 and remained in the lead till the very last round. ‘But Where Have All Your Pieces Gone?’ Nigel Short extols the virtues of simultaneous exhibitions. Chess in Iceland Robert Hess made his first trip to the country that is fabled for its sagas, geysers, volcanoes, music and amidst much more, chess! Hertan’s Forcing Moves A Tale of Two Magicians Genna Sosonko explores the similarities and differences between two of the greatest artists the game has ever seen, David Bronstein and Mikhail Tal. Through the Luking Glass Luke McShane wonders: ‘Have you ever looked at your chess set and noticed that the board looks rather... small?’ Koneru to Play World ­Title Match In a breathtaking finish Humpy Koneru claimed the Doha Grand Prix and won the right to challenge Hou Yifan for the world championship. ‘What Bobby Wants, Bobby Gets’ Jimmy Adams shares his memories of the 1967 Monte Carlo tournament won by 24-year-old Bobby Fischer. A Well-Lived Life Hans Ree honours Johan van Hulst, professor, politician and passionate chess lover, who turned 100 on January 28. Aix-les-Bains Cont’d Jan Timman presents further highlights from the European Championship. Just Checking What would Anish Giri like to be if he hadn’t been himself? Did they play your opening? Sicilian Nisipeanu-Wojtaszek by Wojtaszek Gashimov-Giri by Nunn Carlsen-Anand by Anand Ruy Lopez Anand-Carlsen by Carlsen Queen's Gambit Declined Aronian-Kramnik by Aronian Slav Jobava-Potkin by Potkin Koneru-Danielian by Koneru Nimzo-Indian Sokolov-Hess by Hess Grischuk-Kramnik by Grischuk Queen's Indian Kramnik-Ivanchuk by Nunn King's Indian Kramnik-Nakamura by Nunn Carlsen-Gelfand by Nunn Benoni Zhu Chen-Koneru by Koneru Dutch Defence Nyzhnyk-Kuzubov by Hess English Opening Aronian-Giri by Nunn Pantsulaia-Polgar by Polgar