Any failures at the current team event in Greece could cost the Norwegian the spot he has held since July 2011 The European Club Cup, which has just begun in Halkidiki, northern Greece, is Magnus Carlsen’s final warm-up before the Norwegian’s world title defence against America’s Fabiano Caruana starts in London on 9 November. It will be a much sterner test for Carlsen than he would have expected. His world No 1 ranking, held without a break since July 2011, will be at risk if he has any serious setbacks. The event’s seventh and final round is on Thursday 18 October and all the games can be viewed free and live daily (1pm start) on chess24.com. Continue reading...