World’s #1 Magnus Carlsen is in St. Louis to compete in the Sinquefield Cup. But before the hot and heavy action on the chess board against Aronian, Nakamura, and Kamsky, he visited Webster University to play soccer and basketball with members of the nation’s #1 ranked SPICE chess team. Here is the link to some of the photos (12 nations, 10 GMs, competing in sports):
https://picasaweb.google.com/116302832360230031699/MagnusCarlsenAtWebsterUniversity
Magnus is a new type of chess player, on and off the chess board. He is known for torturing his opponents on the chess boards for 5-6-7 hours. He will play out positions where most grandmasters would be content to agree to a draw.
He is the same on the soccer field and basketball court. He is extremely fit and athletic. He physically wears out his opponents. Magnus simply shatters the false old stigma that chess players are nerdy.
Go Magnus!
Wasn’t it about 30 years ago where Simen Agdestein was both the word’s youngest GM, and a member of the Norwegian national junior soccer team? Perhaps it’s Norway, where kids are encouraged to excel in both physical and mental games?
Wasn’t it about 30 years ago that Simen Agdestein was both the youngest GM in the world and a member of the National football team? Perhaps it’s Norway, where kids are encouraged to excel @ both mental and physical games?
Wasn’t it 30 or so years ago where Simen Agdestein was bth the world’s youngest GM and a member of the national youth soccer team? Maybe it’s about Norway, where kids are encouraged to excel inn both mental and physical games?
Geoff: Yes I do not know if he was the worlds youngest GM, but he was at least Norways top Chess player and at the same time playing soccer for FC Lyn in the norwegian top league. Amazing !
Geoff Egan, it’s okay but why did you write and posted the same comment three times?