New In Chess 2026/1

This New In Chess 2026/1 is the English-language issue of one of the best-known chess magazines, combining tournament reports, interviews, game annotations and training material in a single 132-page paperback. This issue puts Magnus Carlsen and Nodirbek Abdusattorov at the centre of the story, while also covering current events, opening ideas and practical study content.

What’s inside this issue

The opening issue of 2026 includes extensive coverage of Carlsen’s Freestyle success and his latest world titles in rapid and blitz. Another major theme is Tata Steel and the strong showing by the Uzbek players, capped by Abdusattorov’s victory.

Alongside the reports, you’ll find material you can work through: annotated games by leading players, a selection of the most interesting recent encounters, tactical exercises and columns focused on improving your play and keeping up with opening theory. That makes the magazine useful both for following top-level chess and for studying it.

Highlights from the issue

• Magnus Carlsen and his 21st world title, his first in Freestyle
• Report and summary of Tata Steel and Nodirbek Abdusattorov’s success
• Interview with Abdusattorov: “Wijk aan Zee has always been very special to me”
• Interview with Matthias Bluebaum, who qualified for the 2026 Candidates Tournament
• Game annotations by Abdusattorov, Anish Giri, Matthias Bluebaum, Jorden van Foreest, Vladimir Fedoseev and Andy Woodward
• The Killer Blow, a tactical column with exercises selected by Jacob Aagaard
• A new opening-theory column by Nikolaos Ntirlis with practical novelties
• Training material including The Model Game and a column on the worst-placed piece

Contents at a glance

Freestyle – Magnus Carlsen wins his 21st world title, his first in Freestyle.

NIC’s Café – drones from Ukraine, an East German spy and Marcel Duchamp.

Uzbek success at Tata Steel – the story of Abdusattorov and Sindarov, ending with “Abdu”’s victory.

Nodirbek Abdusattorov – interview with the tournament winner.

Tata Steel games – annotated games by leading players.

Celeb 64 – Tom Stoppard, the British playwright.

Matthias Bluebaum – conversation with the German grandmaster.

Fifth Double Crown for Carlsen – Carlsen’s dominance in the rapid and blitz world championships.

Boris Gelfand’s selection – a pick of the most interesting games from recent weeks.

Fair & Square – Julian Barnes and John Nunn.

The Killer Blow – tactical exercises selected by Jacob Aagaard.

Hastings – Jon Speelman on twentieth-century chess, this time in tribute to Hastings.

James Altucher – Win, Lose or Draw.

The Scoresheet – James Thompson–Paul Morphy, 1857.

Yes, opening novelties! – a new column on opening novelties.

The Model Game – gambits and Benko as a model example of play with Black.

The worst placed piece – a new training column by Renier Castellanos.

Sadler on Books – a review of a new book about Captain Mackenzie’s chess adventures.

Jan Timman – the impact of the collapse of the Soviet Union on chess infrastructure.

Just Checking – Mauricio Flores Rios, author of bestsellers.

The magazine is printed in English and comes as a softcover issue with 132 pages.

Key details

• Product type: chess magazine
• Issue: 2026/1
• Language: English
• Format: paperback
• Binding: softcover
• Page count: 132
• Main focus: Magnus Carlsen and Nodirbek Abdusattorov
• Content: tournament reports, interviews, game annotations, tactical exercises and training material