A grandmaster at 13, refusing to play an American dogged by allegations of cheating, and venturing into the world of online chess gaming have all made Norway’s Carlsen a household name.

Chess has been cresting a popularity wave begun by Carlsen himself. He became the world’s top-ranked player in 2011. In 2013, he won the first of his five World Championships.

FORGET boxing. Forget the NBA. Because there is a very different sport set to take over Madison Square Garden in the next few years. And that is chess. It may not be a new sport – in fact, it… ...