Carlsen vs. Nepomniachtchi

The World Chess Championship 2021 was an eagerly-expected event after two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. The whole cycle for the crown was stopped at the Candidates Tournament stage in 2020 only to be resumed a year later in spring of 2021, thus postponing the World Championship match for a whole year. Quite naturally, the chess audience - both players and fans, had huge expectations, so the Champion and his challenger had a paramount task and great responsibility laying on them. They managed to entertain and teach us with their fierce over-the-board battles, and managed to achieve that in exceptional style! 

Dear readers, we tried to offer you more than just a brief review of the World Championship match in Dubai, but instead to create a book which may become one precious jewel in your chess library. However, the material needed to be informative, entertaining, and also well-researched chess wise so we gathered a small team of authors who could deliver the goods most efficiently.

The book begins with a comprehensive overview of all the World Chess Championship matches since 1886 written by Douglas Griffin, distinguished chess historian and researcher. The second part of the book sets the tone for the Carlsen vs. Nepomniachtchi match by presenting their profiles and selection of best games with detailed annotations by IM Goran Arsović. Naturally, the largest part of the book is focused on the World Chess Championship 2021 and brings you the complete coverage of all the games, meticulously annotated and commented by GM Daniel Gormally. Daniel took into consideration all the online commentaries adding his usual dry humor and wit in superb fashion.

Finally, the book ends with post-match conclusions, interviews and even some intrigues. We would like to take this opportunity to express sincere gratitude to FIDE and IM Eric Rosen for providing magnificent photo material. Kudos to all the organizers and sponsors of the World Chess Championship 2021.

Of course, this book would not be possible without great army of chess enthusiasts and Informant afficionados whose support and devotion have been our most cherished treasure and source of motivation over the years.

Igor Žveglić
January 2022

Excerpt