The world No 1 lost to Jorden van Foreest, but squeezed into a tie for first and won the blitz playoff The world No 1, Magnus Carlsen, making a rare return to classical chess this week at the annual TePe Sigeman tournament in Malmö, Sweden, squeezed through to a blitz playoff...
From ‘whiff-whaff’ to the Table Tennis World Championships – photo essay
Global game celebrates centenary event in London as players of all ages showcase their skill, style and speed “Table tennis is very good for the mind as well as the body, whatever age you are,” says 73-year-old Wang Qi, the oldest competitor at the Table Tennis Team World Championships in...
Like huge team crests in a stadium tunnel, football’s confected controversies are hard to avoid | Max Rushden
Many of us struggle to not get sucked into the content machine, even if we simply say: ‘This doesn’t matter’ Last week a video did the rounds of Diego Simeone getting annoyed with Ben White for walking over an enormous Atlético Madrid crest-doormat placed literally in the middle of the...
Aston Villa must prove they are not the ‘nearly men’ in Istanbul, warns McGinn
Villa thrash Forest to reach Europa League final ‘We didn’t want to leave these games with regrets’ John McGinn said Aston Villa took a giant step towards proving they are not “nearly men” after securing their spot in a first European final since 1982 in front of Prince William, who...
Crystal Palace ease past Shakhtar to set up Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano
As the song that has accompanied them on their maiden European adventure promised all along, Crystal Palace are on their way to Leipzig. Sixteen years after rescuing the club he supported as a child from administration, Steve Parish watched on with immense pride as Oliver Glasner’s side held off a...
Russia’s sporting return on hold for inquiry into official’s alleged role in doping cover-up
Wada looking into allegations relating to Rusada chief IOC recommends lifting of ban on Belarusians competing Russia’s return to international sport has been delayed following allegations that its head of anti-doping was involved in covering up drug test results at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. While the International Olympic Committee...
LIV Golf and Bryson DeChambeau tee off new era but cannot escape Saudi shadow
US star is still on rebel tour but the desired focus on teams is not something that is catching on with supporters Moments before Bryson DeChambeau teed off to open LIV Golf’s first American tournament of the year, at Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia, the public address announcer...
Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekend
A game to suit departing Stones, West Ham’s Pablo under scrutiny against Arsenal and Maddison can rouse Spurs Liverpool have eased one self-inflicted headache by listening to their fans and scrapping plans to raise some ticket prices for the next three seasons. Anfield’s attention can now focus squarely on eradicating...
Forty years of Football League drama: new light shone on how the playoffs were born
Archives reveal how a format that even one winning manager wanted abolished four decades ago came to be As the playoffs begin for the 40th time, it is easy to forget there was once a world without them. But where did they come from? Whose idea were they? And how...
Raducanu’s road leads from Rome to a French Open fitness race and questions beyond
Late withdrawal from Italian Open casts significant doubt over player’s chances of competing at Roland Garros In the end Emma Raducanu was one of the first in and out the grandiose gates of the Foro Italico this year. She had arrived in Rome early, eager to test her health and...