I was recently asked about the following:
This is from ChessCampeona and I am doing a three article report on GM Magnus Carlsen´s modeling job. I would like to ask you these three questions.
1. What do you think about Magnus modeling?
2. Do you think about other chess players doing the same thing?
3. Do you think this will distract him from chess?
4. If you could say something to Magnus about his modeling what would you tell him?
5. What do you think about his photoshoot?
Here are my answers:
1. I hope chess does not lose one of its brightest stars to modeling 🙂
2. Unless one devotes 110% of himself/herself to his/her profession, especially when he/she is at a competitive age, one may not reach his/her full potential. Now that I have accomplished my chess playing goals, I can then focus on other areas (such as running SPICE at Texas Tech, promoting chess and all its benefits, raising money for chess scholarships for young people, organizing scholastic and international events, etc.). People can do whatever they want. This is just my personal opinion.
3. If it is a short term / one time thing, no. If this becomes a regular full time thing, yes.
4. Magnus does not need me to tell him anything. He has a very loving / supportive family. They will give him good advice.
5. Smile 🙂
What is your take?
Magnus can be the greatest ever if he focuses on chess.
sweet
It is really hard for me to figure out the enigmatic Carlsen. How mature is he? How much heart does he have? His chess brain faculties are great and a great source of joy to us chess fans across the globe. It is hard for me to understand his motives, vision etc…
Is chess only a tool for him to achieve other things he wants?
Personally I respect his adventures to other fields.
Two wise sentences that I always think are true, apply also to you dear Magnus:
1. “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”
And
2. There are more things on heaven and earth, Magnus, that are dreamt of in your philosophy” ( Shakespeare, Hamlet)
We love you Magnus Carlsen. You are a big inspiration for us.
Best wishes
A. Weiler
Israel.
Probably a one-time adventure that will not distract him from chess.
However, reading different interviews with Carlsen, it is clear that chess is not an obsession with him, and that he values other things in life.
So, when (eventually) winning the world title, and being by far the best rated player, one should not be surprised if he then leaves chess at top level.
It looks like good promotion for chess and lilmagasparov seems to be enjoying it so of course we wish him well! Sup Weiler! i hear yall throwing down in chess in Israel! The top backgammon guy Natanzon called me up and a few weeks ago, he says yall more serious about chess over there! hehe.