GM Magnus Carlsen (2570)
is putting Norway on the World Chess Map!
His 2005 World Cup Results
Round 1: Defeated GM Zurab Azmaiparashvili (2658) 3 – 1
Round 2: Defeated GM Farrukh Ammonatov (2572) 1.5 – .5
Round 3: Defeated GM Ivan Cheparinov (2618) 3 – 1
Round 4: Lost to GM Evgeny Bareev (2675) .5 – 1.5
Round 5: Defeated GM Joel Lautier (2679) 3 – 1
Round 6: Defeated GM Vladimir Malakhov (2670) 3.5 – 2.5
Round 7: Leading GM Gata Kamsky (2690) 1 – 0 
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
dont mean to rain on the boy’s parade, but all the results show is that despite an impressive 5 victories + one lead + one loss, he is *only* +1 in 7 matches, in classical chess against about 2650 opposition from 13 games – that comes to a 2690 performance … all creditable, but not really something you go to town about for someone who was already rated 2570 at the start of the tournament.
There is no doubt the boy has excellent rapid and blitz skills though ..
– one of the chessninjas
Any relation to the swede Magnus Samuelsson ? 🙂
Anonymous said:
“he is *only* +1 in 7 matches”
No, he is + 3 in 7 matches
“that comes to a 2690 performance”
More than 2700 I think!?
And of course he should/could have defeated Bareev…..
To the first post. You see the rating statistics if you click on the players name on the official web site, under results. Magnus is currently on a performance in long games of 2736, gaining 29 rating points.
The youngest candidate ever, some might think that would be “something you go to town about”. But when someone is hyped, there are always those who feel the need to “get it down on the ground”. Fair enough, (but get the facts right).
Now, let us see if the great but rusty Gata Kamsky with white can overwin the norwegian espress.
Ahem… seems to me he’s putting Norway on the world map in the wrong place. Somewhere in the Sahara Desert, I believe.
Magnus sure did get down on the ground today. Gata winning in 31 moves. According to GM Johannessen and the playing programs 22 – f5 would have given a position with equal chances. 22 – Qa6 ?!. 24 – Bxd5? 29 – a6?? Magnus still unstable. But a strenght of Magnus is that he can play confidently and at top strenght after such awful games, games wich may demoralize other players. He has shown that before.
1-1 and more fun tomorrow then.
well I just think that Gata played a great game today. dont forget Gata Kamsky is a former child prodigy also. and Gata is a very good player.
I think both players are top notch. I wish we could have a draw in the match.
but no matter who wins I want to stress there will be NO LOSER in this match. they are both WINNERS in my heart. I love them both. and their chess is wonderful.
I am so pleased. it is like savoring a sip of fine wine. both of them will be in the Candidates Matches. They both already WON.
Tommy
To one of the chess ninja’s,
You may not be impressed but there are hundreds of players rated 2500,
and only 20 worldwide rated 2700.
If he has a ~2700 performance rating at age 15 its something to hold a parade about, at least thats my opinion.
Vinay said: Any relation to the swede Magnus Samuelsson?
Not likely. It is “Carlsen” that is the family name, and “Magnus” is a given name used regularily in Sweden and Norway.
I think the world chess map is mean to exclude Norway and it should have been on there all the time.
Seriously though…
I bet if each country had its own map of the chess world that each country would exclude certain others depending on their present geo-political climate.
Norway is not in Africa! Look better at the map in the photo
As a norwegian I would like to comment the following: The kid on the pic is not Magnus,-he is pointing at Mali. Mali has a somewhat different ethnicity, climate and BNP. And without investigating the subject, I guess Norway’s medal harvest in winter olympics is slightly better, and so is our strength in chess.