EXCLUSIVE Magnus Carlsen Interview ft. GothamChess

Summary

In this engaging interview, Gotham Chess speaks with Magnus Carlsen, the world's top-rated chess player and multiple-time World Champion. They discuss Carlsen's career, including his first realization of being the world's best and his preference for playing styles. Carlsen shares his thoughts on potential sponsors, his choice of drink, and his sleep habits during high-stakes tournaments. The conversation also covers his interest in fitness, diet, and his approach to content creation. A fun segment challenges Carlsen to distinguish between obscure chess players and IKEA furniture names, showcasing his humor and knowledge.

Takeaways

• 🏆 Magnus Carlsen, the world's top-rated chess player for over a decade, was interviewed after winning the Champions Chess Tour finale in Toronto.
• 🍻 When asked how many beers it would take for someone to beat him in a classical game, Carlsen humorously estimated starting with 20 pints and going from there.
• 👟 Carlsen expressed openness to new sponsorships, jokingly mentioning a preference for a deal with Jordan Brand after a recent visit to their golf club.
• ⚽ His dream sport to be the greatest of all time in, if not chess, would be soccer, specifically naming his preference to play for Real Madrid.
• 💰 In a light-hearted moment, Carlsen named a price of $10 million for a chess boxing match, showcasing his competitive spirit in a different light.
• 🥤 He prefers water as his drink of choice, aligning with his disciplined approach to the game, and also enjoys Diet Coke with ice and lemon.
• 💻 Carlsen prefers playing chess on a computer over a phone, indicating a preference for a larger board view and possibly more comfortable gameplay.
• 🧠 He does not recall having a day where he thought another player might be as good as him in the last 10 years, highlighting his confidence and dominance.
• 🏆 Carlsen reminisced about his first time reaching the unofficial number one ranking in Bilbao 2008 and feeling certain of his supremacy by late 2012.
• 🍽️ He has employed a personal chef for some World Championship events, particularly in locations where local food quality was uncertain, emphasizing the importance of nutrition for peak performance.
• 🌞 Carlsen enjoys the sun and identifies as a night owl, preferences that might influence his training and competition schedules.

Q & A

How many beers would it take for Magnus Carlsen to be beaten in a classical chess game?

Magnus Carlsen humorously suggested that he would probably need to start with 20 beers and keep drinking, acknowledging that he might sober up during the game.

Is Magnus Carlsen open to new sponsorships as his Puma deal is expiring?

Yes, Magnus Carlsen is open to new sponsorships and even humorously mentioned considering a sponsorship from Jordan if they were interested.

What sport would Magnus Carlsen choose to be the greatest of all time in, if not chess?

Magnus Carlsen would choose soccer, indicating a personal interest and preference for the sport.

How much would Magnus Carlsen demand to participate in chess boxing?

Magnus Carlsen jokingly named a price of $10 million to participate in chess boxing.

What is Magnus Carlsen's drink of choice after 10 p.m.?

Magnus Carlsen prefers water after 10 p.m., and also enjoys Diet Coke with ice and lemon.

Does Magnus Carlsen prefer playing chess on a computer or over the board?

Magnus Carlsen prefers playing chess on a computer rather than on his phone, and does not specify a preference between computer and over the board.

Has there been a time in Magnus Carlsen's career when he thought another player might be as good as him?

Magnus Carlsen mentioned that there was no specific day, but he acknowledged that Fabiano Caruana was very close to him in classical chess.

When did Magnus Carlsen first realize he might be the best chess player on the planet?

Magnus Carlsen recalls unofficially becoming the number one ranked player in the world in Bilbao in 2008, but he was certain of his status as the best player by fall 2012.

How does Magnus Carlsen prepare for high-stakes chess events like the World Championship?

Magnus Carlsen mentioned that he usually sleeps well, getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night without the need for melatonin or chamomile.

Does Magnus Carlsen bring a nutritionist or chef with him to tournaments?

Magnus Carlsen has brought a chef to a few World Championships, especially in places where he was unsure about the local food quality.

What is Magnus Carlsen's view on his own content creation and his YouTube channel?

Magnus Carlsen expressed interest in streaming more to provide more content for his YouTube channel and other platforms.