Carlsen: Chess is a fun game that can teach you many things in life

What inspired you to start playing chess, and what keeps you motivated?

I started playing chess because I wanted to beat my sister at it. That was my initial goal in chess. Then, I aimed to participate in tournaments, but above all, I truly love the game. That's why I continued. And, of course, when you're good at it, it's easier.

When did you realize it was more than just a game and that you wanted to pursue it professionally?

It's still a game for me, my favorite hobby, even though I make a living from it. I think I realized that I wanted to go further when I began winning youth tournaments in Norway.

What advice would you give to aspiring chess players?

First of all, enjoy it. Chess is primarily a fun game and can teach you many things in life. That is the most important part to focus on - the joy of the game and the educational benefits it can offer. At a young age, don't worry so much about results; focus more on trying to learn.

What benefits does chess bring to children?

Several things. Firstly, chess teaches you to sit down, concentrate, and think analytically. But I think what is very important is the ability to make quick decisions based on a limited amount of data. Essentially, that is what you do in chess all the time. Even though you have perfect information in the game and there is no hidden information, you still would not be able to go through every single possibility. This is applicable to a lot of different fields; you have to learn to make these decisions quite a lot based on intuition, and chess teaches you to do that from a very early age.

Any resources or tools you would recommend for beginners?

The most important thing when you're starting out is to play a lot and try to analyze your games to see what mistakes you made. Look at chess not only with computers but also play against stronger players if you can; they can teach you a lot of things that computers cannot.

Why do you think it is important for governments and companies to invest in chess promotion?

I believe that chess is a very useful tool and a worthwhile investment for our kids' future.

Which is your favorite team for the European Championship?

?I am always hoping that Norway will qualify… I don’t have a favorite; I just hope to see some good football.

What does a typical day look like in the life of Magnus Carlsen? It varies. Every day is different for me; I'm not really a creature of habits. There might be a day when I don’t do much chess at all, and some days when I devote a lot of time to it.

How do you approach preparation and training?

Honestly, I don’t do as much anymore. I rarely engage in specific preparations; it's more about thinking of some new opening ideas and practicing.

What are your expectations for the Grand Chess Tour 2024 Superbet Rapid & Blitz tournaments?

I am happy to be part of it again. I enjoy them very much. Hopefully, this year will be a great experience again. None of these tournaments are easy. I really like the lineup this year; there are a lot of young players, which is exciting to see.

?