Norwegian chess ace Magnus Carlsen successfully defended his title as the world champion of rapid chess in the latest tournament that began in Berlin over the weekend. He already reigns as the World Champion of classic chess and now will also seek to defend his title as the champ of blitz chess as well.
That part of the tournament in Berlin runs through Wednesday. Meanwhile, Carlsen was triumphant after claiming yet another victory Monday evening in the FIDE World Chess Rapid and Blitz Championships that have attracted more than 150 grandmasters.
“He’s very well satisfied,” Carlsen’s ever-present father Henrik Carlsen told Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) after his now-24-year-old son proved once again that he’s the best in the world.
The tournament had its ups and downs for the Carlsens, and Magnus himself told NRK that he “played too passively.” The last day of the rapid chess competition ended with two wins and three ties (remis) but he was pleased he defended his title.
“I expected the rapid chess would be difficult,” he said, “but every World Championship title is fun to take.”
On Tuesday he was already delving into blitz chess competition, where he was heavily favoured. “I’m best in blitz chess,” Carlsen said matter-of-factly. “I should have greater chances there, where I can play with more intuition.” He said he intended to put his freshest victory behind him in order to be “top-motivated” for the blitz portion.
“I have ambitions to win another new title,” he told NRK. If he succeeds, reports chessdom.com (external link), he will not only be the first person to hold all three world championship titles accorded by the international chess federation FIDE, he will become the first person to defend them and retain them.
Asked why he thinks he wins so much, Carlsen said he was “beginning to become an experienced player. And my opponents have such great respect for me that they take a lot of time.”
So what can motivate Carlsen when he’s already won every title there is, at such a young age?
“Win another one,” he said with a smile.
newsinenglish.no/Nina Berglund
