Trust us, in India, not many people would seriously bother with professional chess except for those in the cities of Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, New Delhi and Mumbai. The kind of welcome Carlsen received is reserved only for cricket players or film stars in India. Chess, as a sport, has failed to capture the imagination of the nation despite Viswanathan Anand being a name easily recognised across the country.
So, how come, the chess wonderboy, took chess back to Indian prime time television news and Page One in the print media with a single visit? What exactly makes Magnus Carlsen so hot? Here are five reasons you are bound to agree with:
That also spells hope for the vast majority of chess lovers out there who have other things to do (like earning their daily bread) while wanting to play good chess at the same time. We can't help cheering for Mr Carlsen.
Carlsen has also said, "I’ve never been much of a (chess) computer guy at least in terms of playing with computers. Actually until I was about 11, I didn’t use a computer for preparing for games at all. I was playing a bit online, was using the chess club mainly. Now, obviously, the computer is an important tool for me preparing for my games. [But] in general I get much more pleasure from playing human opponents. That’s why I never really played with computer. I just analyse when I’m on the computer, either my games or my opponents. But mostly my own."
Carlsen has also said, "I’ve never been much of a (chess) computer guy at least in terms of playing with computers. Actually until I was about 11, I didn’t use a computer for preparing for games at all. I was playing a bit online, was using the chess club mainly. Now, obviously, the computer is an important tool for me preparing for my games. [But] in general I get much more pleasure from playing human opponents. That’s why I never really played with computer. I just analyse when I’m on the computer, either my games or my opponents. But mostly my own."
About draws in chess Carlsen says, "I just think at top level tournaments you should play out the games... At top level tournaments, there’s simply no excuse for not playing out the games."
4. Carlsen's New Age Fundamentals of Fun: Carlsen has always insisted that "For me, it’s about playing as long as I’m motivated, as long as it’s fun, as long as it’s interesting."
The 22-year-old chess champion doesn't care about money despite already being in the millionaire's club with his earnings. That's exactly what all New Age gurus speak about: Do what you're good at and have fun with. Dump that materialism. The New Age concept is a rage with the youngsters giving them a new way to view both chess and life. This 'Carlsen-itis' is infectious!
5. Pure Chess Talent: There's no doubting that Magnus Carlsen has pure chess talent - part God gift and part hard work. He has also been coached by the very best, the legendary Garry Kasparov. Carlsen has already set the world record of the highest chess rating achieved by a human on the planet at 2872! That's beyond stratospheric really.
Not for nothing has Cosmopolitan already voted the Chess World No. 1 as one of the top sexiest men on the planet. Who wouldn't agree? -- Zainab Raza Undulusi
