Opposites attract: Carlsen and cars

by ChessBase
7/15/2015 – He himself owns a Teslar. On a trip to Volkswagen, the biggest automaker in Germany and Europe, World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen got ride a 700 hp Lamborghini and visit the secret Volkswagen test site. There he took a spin with FIA World Rally Champion Sébastien Ogier in a 318 hp Polo and discovered that chess and rallying had more in common than you would think.

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Opposites attract: Double World Champions together

Wolfsburg (14 July 2015). World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen (N) met the reigning
World Champion in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), Sébastien Ogier (F).

On his trip to Wolfsburg, chess genius Carlsen, the youngest world number one in the history of the sport, donned a racing suit and took his place alongside Ogier as his co-driver. That wasn't the only highlight for the motorsport fan and current number one in the world rankings of the World Chess Federation FIDE.

First, he enjoyed a lap at lightning speed on the secret Volkswagen test site in Ehra-Lessien. Carlsen was chauffeured by works driver Michal Kutina in an Aventador of group brand Lamborghini. After the ride in the 700 hp sports car, the Norwegian chess genius got into the Volkswagen Polo WRC with Ogier. The two-time rally World Champion not only showed Carlsen his place of work and what everyday testing is like, he also really went for it sideways on the handling course near Wolfsburg.

Carlsen was impressed by the trip in the 318 hp Polo: "It's fantastic how Sébastien masters his car and flings it around the corners," said the 24-year-old. "Chess and rallying have more in common than you would think. They both require utmost concentration and precision. And you always have to look two steps ahead."

This was followed by a tour of the Autostadt in Wolfsburg – and Carlsen signed the visitor's book at the Volkswagen Group's museum and amusement park. The day was rounded off with Carlsen being given an exclusive tour of the manufacturing halls belonging to the car manufacturer from Wolfsburg.

"I was delighted to meet Magnus," said Ogier. "He is a great guy and a really interesting personality. As Chess World Champion, naturally he has an incredible memory. It's crazy what Magnus can keep in his head. In the cockpit I noticed that he was really enjoying himself. I bet he could recite entire special stages after the 'recce' without even looking at the pace notes."

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NMcrazyim5 NMcrazyim5 7/20/2015 07:39
Carlsen is an inspiration!
cptmajormajor cptmajormajor 7/16/2015 04:40
Being the youngest world champ is just the same as being the youngest president or youngest GM, it means little in the Grand scheme-politics and chance involved.
karavamudan karavamudan 7/16/2015 04:39
Actually Carlsen looks like a racing car driver while the other guy looks like the wizened GM
Rational Rational 7/15/2015 07:16
He may be in a fast car, but he better watch out for the Chinese juggernaut trying to overtake him.
Mike Petersen Mike Petersen 7/15/2015 04:43
"Teslar" was a typo. It should read "Tesla", which is an electric car.
mbehna mbehna 7/15/2015 04:14
Sebastien Ogier (F) ?! I don't think so, he is not that old... he is only 31 years old.
mbehna mbehna 7/15/2015 04:11
What's a Teslar? Never heard of it.
Offramp Offramp 7/15/2015 11:41
Carlsen is still cringing from that photo of him and the others playing football.
calimero_1984 calimero_1984 7/15/2015 09:41
What the heck?

Didn't the guy just lost his worst tournament ever..?

And now he's turning into a fashion model..?

hserusk hserusk 7/15/2015 08:42
May the pointless debates begin!
QueensGambit001 QueensGambit001 7/15/2015 08:22
@jajalamapratapri
It has never been mentioned in the article that Calrsen is the youngest WC, but has been mentioned that he is the youngest world number one. He did it when he was 19 years old having rating of 2810.
jajalamapratapri jajalamapratapri 7/15/2015 07:53
Carlsen is not the youngest WC ever.
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