Norwegian chess superstar, world chess champion and ambassador extraordinaire for chess, 23-year-old Magnus Carlsen, visited Moscow’s Institute of Physics and Technology, the equivalent of MIT, where he conducted two simultaneous exhibitions recently. In addition, Carlsen was interviewed by a popular Russian TV presenter and producer, and answered selected questions from students of the Institute.
The Institute is a leading university which prepares specialists in theoretical and applied physics, applied mathematics, and other related disciplines. During the interview Carlsen commented on various subject areas, some related to chess, and others about his personal life. Below are some excerpts:
On being so good at such a young age
I really don’t consider myself such a young chess player . There are many players now who are coming up, who are much younger than me. I’ve been playing in the strongest tournaments in the world now since I was 16 years old, and now I’m 23. I think if you have been doing something else at a top level for seven years, you are not considered young, you are considered, if not a veteran, a seasoned player. I’ve been playing chess a long time so I don’t consider myself a young player any more.
On computers
For my part, I never considered the computer an opponent; in chess I thought it more interesting to play against humans. For me, it’s not really a question. I think it’s pretty clear by now that the best computers are vastly superior to best humans (in this age that would be me). I see computers more as an analytical tool, as something that can help you, rather than an opponent.
What to do about it (computers)
Maybe at some point the rules will have to change in chess because the computers know too much. I think the most obvious solution is the question of stalemate (a draw). I think if you change stalemate from a draw to a win for the attacking part of the game, [it] will be completely different, and harder perhaps, to work out. But I think for now it is working quite well. Computers obviously know a lot, but it’s shown that in every tournament that I play, and every tournament that other top players play, there’s still plenty of fight at a chess board. It’s still a sport at the board, not only a scientific pursuit at home.
On how long will he stay in the game
I think the answer to that is simple: when I lose my motivation to play chess, when it ceases to be fun, ceases to be motivating, then I will simply have to do something else. Fortunately for now, that question has not really been an issue.
On girls
I like friendly outgoing girls who take the initiative sometimes. I’m not so outgoing myself, so it’s nice if someone else is.
On problems with stardom
Obviously it’s a luxury when people want to meet you and to take your picture and so on, but sometimes it’s a little bit too much and whenever you say no to these questions, then someone is going to be unhappy. But in general I try to do these things as long as it’s not too much trouble.
Anything more important than chess?
I don’t actually take too much time thinking about such difficult questions. I think at some point if I were to choose between playing chess forever and having a family, I would probably choose family.
