London will be the place to be in 2018.

Three top events will all be happening during the course of the year.

First, we have the much-anticipated return of Chess: The Musical, written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus (from ABBA) and Tim Rice. It is now time book your seats for shows from 26 April – 2 June 2018 and this can be done here.

Then from 9 – 28 November London will host the World Chess Championship for the first time since 2000 (when Vladimir Kramnik famously dislodged Garry Kasparov from the throne to end the latter’s 15-year reign). World Champion Magnus Carlsen will hope to defend his title against whichever player wins the forthcoming Berlin candidates tournament.

The third big event will be the 10th London Chess Classic, which was announced at this year’s event. The dates and other details are all to be confirmed.

I am hoping to attend all three events, all of which are simply too good to miss.