The FIDE Candidates Tournament began on March 16^th, in Yekaterinburg, Russia, with eight of the top players of the world to play a double round-robin to decide who would challenge the reigning world champion, Magnus Carlsen, in December for the title. The 14-round event took place in the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Yekaterinburg, Russia -- play was originally scheduled 17 March to April 3 this year with a prize fund of €500,000.

For hoops fans, and especially for those who followed the National Basketball Association through the Bulls’ Dynasty in the nineties, ESPN’s decision to move up the release of The Last Dance two months to April 19 is a welcome one. With the new coronavirus pandemic forcing most countries in the world to implement quarantine measures, the broadcast giant will most certainly be serving the 10-part documentary to a captive audience. As the Lakers’ LeBron James argued on The Road Trippin’ podcast of former teammates Richard Jefferson and Channing Frye last week, “if I’m Michael Jordan, I’m going in there and I’m making a conference call and I’m like, ‘Okay, what’s the reason that we’re going to hold onto it until June now? Compared to now when everybody is at home?’”

TOKYO -- The postponed Olympic Games will now begin on July 23 next year and run until Aug. 8, the head of the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee said on Monday, as the coronavirus pandemic made it impossible to plan and prepare for them properly this year.

HAD HIS flourishing boxing career halted at one point for a year and a half because of contract dispute with his former handlers, undefeated Filipino boxer Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo is now excited to turn a new leaf after signing a deal to be part of MP Promotions last month.

THE NATIONAL Basketball Association has plans for a players-only NBA 2K video game tournament to be shown on ESPN, Yahoo Sports reported Monday evening.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has effectively shuttered all sporting activities in the country but the sports community is finding ways to make its presence felt, stepping up and doing its share in the fight against the pandemic.

There can be no discounting the power of celebrity when it comes to raising awareness for a cause. It was certainly on display over the weekend, when the Warriors’ Stephen Curry went on Instagram Live for the better part of half an hour to talk about the new coronavirus. It helped, of course, that he had Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, by his side. “Information is power,” he noted, and promptly discussed the importance of taking preventive measures with the key member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force.

USA Basketball is weighing alternative roster options in the event of a potential conflict between the delayed Tokyo Olympics and the National Basketball Association season.

LONDON -- Alex Marquez celebrated a first MotoGP win -- even if only virtually -- in a ‘#StayAtHomeGP’ esports race featuring 10 top riders including older brother and six-time world champion Marc.

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave defeated erstwhile tournament leader Ian Nepomniachtchi in the 7^th round of the Candidates Tournament and tied with him for the lead.

In the midst of the National Basketball Association’s suspension of its 2019–20 campaign, not a few quarters have argued that the development benefits the Lakers’ LeBron James. After all, they claimed, he’s a relatively old 35, with significant miles on his odometer and in need of rest. Significantly, it’s a narrative that he’s pushing back against. And it isn’t merely because, prior to the league making the decision to hold the season in abeyance, he had just come off a productive weekend that saw him lead the purple and gold to victories against the Bucks and Clippers, noted powerhouses and deemed to be their biggest stumbling blocks en route to a projected championship.

LONDON -- Formula One could shorten grand prix weekends and race into January if that helps salvage a season ravaged by the coronavirus, according to Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto.