95 m. ago Chess: Magnus Carlsen wins Freestyle Tour title despite defeat in final event

Norway’s world No 1, 35, lost 0.5-1.5 to the US veteran Levon Aronian, 43, in Cape Town but was already sure of overall victory and a prize of around $500kNorway’s world No 1, Magnus Carlsen, was shocked by a 0.5-1.5 loss to the US veteran Levon Aronian in Thursday’s final of the Freestyle Grand Slam Tour in Cape Town, but still finished the overall winner of the five-event Tour.Freestyle chess is also known as Fischer Random and Chess 960. Pieces start randomly placed on the two back rows, thus drastically limiting opening preparation. Its 2025 season, with a Tour financed mainly by a $12m investment from the venture firm Left Lane Capital, has featured tournaments in Weissenhaus, Karlsruhe, Paris and Las Vegas before the final in South Africa. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Life in the Kevin McCloud homes WORSE than Poundbury: Grand Designs star branded King Charles's town 'intolerable'... but families on his model estate described it as a 'warzone'

Grand Designs star Kevin McCloud's recent excoriating analysis of King Charles's model town of Poundbury, could leave a few raised eyebrows in Buckingham Palace.

Society

4 d. ago Life in the Kevin McCloud homes WORSE than Poundbury: Grand Designs star branded King Charles's town 'intolerable'... but families on his model estate called it a 'warzone'

Grand Designs star Kevin McCloud's recent excoriating analysis of King Charles 's model town of Poundbury, could leave a few raised eyebrows in Buckingham Palace .

Society

2 w. ago The hidden railway tunnel that is free for kids to visit – and it has a new ride

A HISTORIC railway tunnel in the UK has a new miniature train ride. The Glenfield Railway Tunnel in Leicestershire originally opened in 1832 as part of the Leicester and Swannington Railway and this year it reopened with a new experience. Visitors can head on tours of the first 365 metres of the disused railway tunnel...

Politics

3 w. ago European Christmas market swaps: 5 hidden gems to visit instead of the tourist traps

As big-name markets become inundated with visitors across Europe, these five hidden gems in Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Dublin and Copenhagen provide authentic, crowd-free experiences.

Politics

3 w. ago 'Everyone should visit' hidden gem Yorkshire town with hidden 'grand castle'

The town is also home to one of England's best preserved ruins

Politics