The Mozart of Chess: Magnus Carlsen, genius redefined
Magnus Carlsen has rightly been called the 'Mozart of Chess'. He became world champion at the young age of 22, defeating the much more experienced Vishy Anand. Carlsen has played blind chess with several games going on simultaneously, a feat hardly imaginable to any normal mind. He reached the number 1 position in chess rankings when he was 19. Here's more about this genius.
The young Magnus and his achievements
In an interview, Carlsen's father said that by the age of five, he could name all the 195 countries of the world, along with their capitals. He is the fifth youngest Grandmaster of all time. He gained the title when he was 13 years, 4 months, 27 days. He was the youngest ever in history to take part in the FIDE World Chess Championship.
At par with world champions by the age of 13
Carlsen played the likes of Garry Kasparov and Anatoly Karpov at the age of 13. Against Kasparov, who was ranked number 1 then, Carlsen managed to draw the game to the surprise of the world. Karpov, another genius who had been the world champion for a decade, lost to Carlsen when the Norwegian Grandmaster was just 13. An astounding achievement by all standards.
All three world championships at once
Magnus Carlsen is the only player in the history of chess to hold the World Championship, Blitz Championship, and the Rapid Chess Championships, all at once. He famously won the World Chess Championship in 2013, beating Vishy Anand. Carlsen went on to win the Rapid Chess Championship in 2014 and defended it successfully in 2015. He also won the Blitz Championship in 2014.
The highest rated player in the history of chess
At the age of 22 years and 31 days, Carlsen managed to cross the world record for the highest ever FIDE rating, set by Garry Kasparov. Kasparov was rated 2,851, the highest ever, with his record standing tall for 13 years and 6 months. Carlsen crossed landmark in 2013, achieving a rating of 2,861. His current unofficial 'live' rating stands at 2,889.2.
