Magnus Carlsen this week launched his attempt to retain the chess world championship once again, with reason for confidence. The Norwegian grandmaster is favourite to win the 14-game tournament in Dubai against Ian Nepomniachtchi of Russia, and chess is enjoying a renaissance, helped by last year's Netflix drama, The Queen's Gambit.
As the players settle down to what is likely to be a series of tight matches that mostly end in draws, two questions linger.
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