Ibsen, Munch, Heyerdahl … and now Magnus Carlsen
A teenager from a picturesque valley just outside of Oslo is on his way to becoming one of the world’s best-known Norwegians, after he emerged over the weekend as the best chess player on the planet.
Magnus Carlsen of Lommedalen is 17 years old and moved into first place after fearless and, some say, “action-packed” play at the Final Chess Masters in Bilbao, Spain. The secretary general of the Norwegian Chess Association, Dag Danielsen, doesn’t mince his superlatives.
“I think Magnus Carlsen is the best-known Norwegian who’s ever lived,” Danielsen told newspaper Aftenposten. Danielsen was also interviewed on Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) Sunday evening, and voiced similar unabashed pride in Norway’s young chess whiz.
Carlsen’s father, Henrik, isn’t as eager to lavish such fame on his son. But even he can’t deny that his son’s talent is attracting more and more international attention and that major foreign media outlets are keen on profiling young Magnus.
“Magnus fortunately turns down most interview requests, because otherwise he wouldn’t have time to concentrate on that which he really needs to concentrate on,” said Henrik Carlsen.
The international chess association reveals its rankings four times a year. The unofficial list now shows Carlsen at the top. He’ll also top the official list if he wins the important matches in the Bilbao tournament. That list will be made public on October 1.
His father remains unflappable, even though there’s also a lot of money at stake.
“It’s clear that Magnus thinks it would be fun to be ranked Number One,” he said. “But he expects that he has good chances in the future as well.”
Aftenposten’s reporter
Kurt Haugli
GM Nakamura which is Smallville(GM) kibitzes: “Carlsen wins only cause people blunder in equal positions”
Is this true?
No. Naka is just jealous.
You should probably add that Nakamura also said “I’m not saying that I’m as good as Magnus…”
Of course he and a lot of other young players are jealous understanding that they will never be as good as Carlsen, but especially Nakamura likes to provoke and in general lacks manners. But who really cares…
Interesting that ‘artists’ Edvard Grieg and Roald Dahl, and explorers Amundsen and Nansen did not get mentioned.
Carlsen will certainly be famous when he finally tops the pile …
… and then everyone will unfortunately want a piece of him. Everyone who’s ever shaken hands with him will be telling us he is their friend.