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The Norwegian television network, VG TV, just posted a lovely documentary called Magnus Carlsen's Last Big Title. It is a very nice work, with many fascinating images, footage, and testimonies by Magnus Carlsen and those close to him, as he closes in on the World Championship title. Below are choice excerpts and moments, though at the bottom is the full video, which we encourage you to watch.
Magnus Carlsen, 13 years old – So I want to become a grandmaster this year. I also want to become the youngest in the Western (world) of all time.
Is that realistic?
Yes, I think both are quite realistic.
"For the first time, I am going to play in the World Championship for the final and
finally try to get that last big title."
A typical training camp for chess players
Jon Hammer explains, "I try to find some good exercises, I pick them out quite
carefully. What this puzzle does is that you train searching for moves and you
train working out continuations in your head."
Well chosen indeed, if the above image is any indication
Jon Hammer (off-camera) – "He did not find the solution, so we’ll probably have to do some more to make sure he finds the right moves in the world championship."
Anand – "There is a tough match ahead. I will prepare specifically for Carlsen. This is typical in a match where you prepare specifically for your opponent. You look at their games, you take into account their style, and you try to see what best works against that. That’s what I will do, that’s what I assume he will do as well."
Carlsen – "Well, basically I’ve looked at all his games from the beginning just to pick up some very little things about how he plays. It’s made me realize once again how great a player he used to be and how great a player he still is, and that this is not going to be easy."
Carlsen – "Sometimes when I see a chess game, I feel that there is some little new idea which I haven’t seen, and I try to remember it, keep it in the back of my head so that at some point I will be able to use that information to make a decision some time."
Carlsen – "I can remember probably a few thousand games. Sort of circling around there somewhere."
Hammer – "So now I’m preparing a quiz for Magnus. He has a really exceptional memory. I will get some positions for him to look at, and then see if he can name the players, the date and where it has been played."
We don’t really need to tell you that he gets them all right, do we? Whether from 1909, 1938, 1971, 2001, or 2009.
Henrik Carlsen, Magnus's father, is quick to admit he is as surprised as anyone at
how incredibly strong Magnus became in chess, and pinches himself in pride.
His father recounts what Magnus was like as a boy...
... and shares the first signs of his son's unusual talents.
Carlsen’s sister. Ellen Carlsen, points out that while Magnus has a great memory
and ability to absorb information when the topic interests him, if it does not, it is
forgotten five minutes later.
When you are not playing, how often do you think about chess?
Carlsen – "Basically, all of the time. Even as I’m talking to you some lines are running through my head. Some game I just saw."
What kind of board do you see now?
"Ah, it’s the game from the tournament that going on in Oslo right now, the Oslo chess international. Just trying to figure out what is going on. It’s a very interesting position." (He looks down a bit abashed at this admission)
The world number one at the opening of G-Raw in Oslo, the fashion line he models for
A chess hustler from Washington Square park in New York recounts his surprise
when he finds out who it was that beat him
Carlsen plays a blindfold simul against ten lawyers at Harvard University.
The score: 10-0 for Magnus.
What more can one add?
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