The Four Nations Chess League gets under way again this weekend. Oxford 1, newly restored to division 1 after winning a nail-biting promotion race at the end of last season, kick off in Hinkley Island, Leicestershire, with two tough matches.

Their first round opponents, Cheddleton 1 are so strong — on paper at least — that Oxford’s top rated player, David Zakarian would not find a place in their eight-player team.

When the two teams last met in the 2011-12 season, a similar disparity in strength existed — but, on that occasion, Kakarian beat grandmaster Danny Gormally and Oxford secured a memorable victory.

Oxford’s second round opponents, Blackthorne Russia, are also a formidable outfit and have a strong Oxford connection, featuring amongst their number Simon Ansell and Harriet and Adam Hunts — all three former Cowley Club players.

Until November 28, chess fans’ eyes not focused on Hinkley will no doubt be trained on Chennai, India.

There, the 12-game Fide World Championship match between the Indian world Champion Vishy Anand and his 22-year-old challenger, Magnus Carlsen from Norway is taking place. The first two games have ended in quick draws, but most commentators make Carlsen the clear favourite and cite as evidence the age gap (Anand is 43) and Carlsen’s near legendary fitness and stamina — vital in any long match. I’m not so convinced by this argument — Anand has worked hard on his own fitness for the match, losing about a stone in weight, and for sheer chess brilliance he cedes nothing to his young rival. Witness the following scintillating game played in Wijk aan Zee, the Netherlands, earlier this year — a modern chess classic.

White: Vishy Levon Aronian

Black: Vishy Anand

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.e3 Nbd7 6.Bd3 dxc4 7.Bxc4 b5 8.Bd3 Bd6 9.0–0 0–0 10.Qc2 Bb7 11.a3 Rc8 12.Ng5!? c5! Extraordinary — just letting White have the h7 pawn for free.

13.Nxh7 Ng4 14.f4 cxd4 15.exd4 Bc5!! An amazing move. The idea is that, if 16.dxc5, then 16...Nxc5 17.Be2 Qd4+ 18.Kh1 Nf2+ leads to mate.

16.Be2 Nde5!! Unbelievable — but computers show it all works.

17.Bxg4 Bxd4+ 18.Kh1 Nxg4 19.Nxf8 f5!! The anti-materialism continues and the move Anand was most proud of when commenting after the game. It’s far better than the unclear 19...Kxf8 20.Qh7.

20.Ng6 Qf6 21.h3 Qxg6 22.Qe2 Qh5 23.Qd3 Be3! A finish worthy of this masterpiece. There’s no good answer to the threat of 24...Qxh3. 0–1