Luke McShane

Twelve questions for Christmas

issue 18 December 2021

1. ‘I like the game, the money, and the fame.’ Which Twitter-loving top grandmaster said that, in response to an interviewer’s question: ‘What three things do you absolutely love about chess?’

2. Which former women’s world champion chose to sue Netflix, seeking damages of ‘at least $5 million’ for her portrayal in The Queen’s Gambit?

3. Who described recently, in The Spectator, his experience of being stopped at airport security in Beirut, when his chess set and clock set off the baggage scanner?

4. Which 18-year-old became, at the start of this month, the second ranked player in the world, behind Magnus Carlsen?

5. The ‘Double Bongcloud’ was a new opening christened in 2021, beginning with the moves 1 e4 e5 2 Ke2 Ke7. Who were the players?

6. Vaccinations are a big story of 2021. A chess piece is said to be ‘immune’ when it cannot safely be captured.

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