# NIC's Café

# Your Move

# Kramnik Lets England Shake
In the third edition of the London Chess Classic, the English players had a hard time of it. At the end of nine hard-fought rounds, the total score between 'the World' and 'England' was a telling 15-5. A prominent part in the massacre was played by overall winner Vladimir Kramnik, who notched up a clean 4-0 against the hosts to mark an inspired comeback after his poor result in the Tal Memorial.

# Interview Vladimir Kramnik
The former World Champ speaks openly about his ambitions, the incredible stability of Magnus Carlsen, the upcoming Anand-Gelfand match, his attitude towards Garry Kasparov, the political situation in Russia and much more.

# A Move that Made it into the Movies
Mihail Marin unravels the mystery of a star move that had a brief film career.

# Two Games and Twice the Fun
Celebrating the legendary tournaments of 1911 and 1912, the San Sebastian New Year's festival introduced the 'Basque System', a knock-out format in which every round consists of two games played ­simultaneously, one with the white and one with the black pieces.

# Don't Fear the Reaper
Nigel Short muses about the effects of advancing age on a chess player.

# The Caretaker's Son
Of all the World Champions, Tigran Vartanovich Petrosian is perhaps the most underrated. Genna Sosonko remembers and portrays the legendary Armenian, a complex character with a fabulous talent for the game.

# Hertan's Forcing Moves

# The Art of the Composer
Luke McShane found the subtitle of Jan Timman's new book, 'My Journeys in the Magical World of Endgame Studies', well chosen.

# A Combative Priest
A film, a book and the fate of books in general inspired Hans Ree to some rambling observations.
Giri Strikes in Reggio

# Jan Timman closely followed the events in Reggio Emilia. 'You could feel the ambition bubbling from the very start.'

# Just Checking
What is Hou Yifan's greatest fear?