Issue 2017#6 brings you 108 pages of the best in chess:

Hou Yifan: Queen Biel

The Chinese star underpinned her ambitions to shine in mixed events with a spectacular win after a superb 3/3 finish.

Sinquefield Cup

Amid a mind-boggling stream of top-quality events, the Sinquefield Cup remains St. Louis’s finest. In the fifth edition, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave thwarted the ambitions of World Champion Magnus Carlsen.

Interview: MVL

The Frenchman on his greatest success to date and his ambitions for the near future. And his beard, of course.

Sinquefield’s largesse

How much money is Rex Sinquefield spending on chess?

St. Louis: US Chess Capital

A practical map.

The new Anand?

Is 12-year-old Praggnanandhaa on course to become the youngest GM in history?

Secrets of Opening Surprises

In these days of hybrids, here is a mix of the Pirc and the Nimzowitsch Defence.

His last hurrah?

While Levon Aronian was on the rampage in the St. Louis Rapid & Blitz, all eyes were on the return of Garry Kasparov.

Chess Pattern Recognition

Odd rook moves that make sense.

Judit Polgar’s column

Zoltan Almasi, a fighter that you can rely on.

Second summer

For a change, Nigel Short didn’t stay at home for the summer holidays.

Inspired Jobava

Jan Timman admires the Georgian artist’s play at the Xtracon Open.

Just Checking

Eric Hansen’s choice of the best thing ever said about chess.

Radjabov’s return

The Azeri GM surprised all and sundry by winning the Geneva Grand Prix.