Welcome to another Sunday chess review where we take a look at selected events to remember from the past week and to look forward in the next.

In our own Anstey Chess club we had another amazing club night, a report from the evening and a gallery of photos can be seen on Club Night – 20/01/22. This week we are looking forward to another club night for our first team and casual players, while the second team will have to face Heathcote Arms 2. We wish them good luck and two wins in a row.

In the area there were several competitive games in all divisions. In Division 1 Braunstone 1 won over Wigston 1, while Shepshed’s first two teams had to play each other, with the first team taking the honours. In the second division, Melton Mowbray 1 delivered a crushing 3 – 1 defeat to the unfortunate team of Loughborough 1. In Division 3 where our own Anstey 1 plays, Market Harborough 2 did not leave any chances to the team of Kirby Muxloe 2, the game finished 8.5 – 1.5 for the division leaders. In the fourth division, Wigston 4 an Loughborough 2 shared a point after a 2.5 – 2.5 draw. To follow all action in out own county, follow the LRCA website.

In the country, the Independent published a piece about “the real-life” Beth Harmon (fictional character from the Queen’s Gambit series on Netflix), the first World Women’s Championship winner Vera Menchik. More on Vera Menchik can be found on chess.com.

Worldwide the main topic in chess as usual is the world champion in classical chess Magnus Carlsen. The Norwegian is again aiming to write history by achieving 2900 ELO rating and his road starts at the TATA Steel Chess tournament held in Wijk in the Netherlands. Currently the world champion is in first place, followed by Shakhriyar Mamedyarov who is trailing by only half a point. Meanwhile, Vidit Gujrathi is hovering around the third place a full point behind Carlsen, while Anish Giri received a point by default after Daniil Dubov got himself in a “Covid-y” situation. Full coverage of the tournament, as presented by chess.com on YouTube can be found on our own website. Just head back to the home page and scroll down to the bottom or click here.