In a sport teeming with teenage prodigies, Magnus Carlsen is among the uncommon examples of a chess participant who transformed his early expertise to turn into a world beater.
Tales abound of his incandescent expertise after he emerged on the world stage: how he as soon as held Garry Kasparov to a draw and took down GM Anatoly Karpov as a teen even earlier than he was a grandmaster or how, again within the day, he turned the second-youngest GM in historical past.
However his rise additionally holds classes for the remainder of the chess world — notably for India, which has now seen an explosion of teenage grandmasters over the past decade or so — on learn how to nurture a teenage prodigy. As Magnus Carlsen’s father Henrik places it merely, the key is to not push the children an excessive amount of, and allow them to make their very own life selections.
On the sidelines of the World Chess League, Henrik spoke to The Indian Categorical on the early steps of Magnus, how his rise modified the chess scene in Norway, and his personal function in shaping his son’s profession. Excerpts from an unique interview:
When was the primary time you noticed the spark in Magnus?
Magnus had a capability to focus and develop a deep curiosity in new subjects and actions at a younger age. The best way he discovered to do puzzles, geography and construct massive Lego units at an early age made me suppose that chess may be one thing for him. The primary time I had that thought was within the autumn the 12 months he turned 5. Instructing him and his sister chess, I underestimated how tough chess is for younger youngsters and, amazingly, did not see the actual expertise for a very long time. It was solely when he began engaged on chess himself at eight that I actually understood that he would possibly turn into excellent.
Magnus Carlsen is among the uncommon examples of a chess participant who transformed his early expertise to turn into a world beater. (Play Magnus Group)
Due to Magnus’ success, chess is a large deal in Norway, with tournaments even being broadcast on nationwide TV. What was the chess scene in Norway again when Magnus began taking part in?
Chess has turn into extra mainstream in Norway due to Magnus. However we had the distinctive expertise of Simen Agdestein already within the Eighties. Agdestein reached sixteenth place on the earth rankings, and his mixture of being each a chess star and soccer star (taking part in eight video games for the Norwegian nationwide group) gave chess plenty of publicity that helped develop the curiosity within the sport all through the Nineties. Agdestein began a chess group on the native high athletes highschool close to Oslo, and when Magnus confirmed some expertise he was invited to coach on the college already at age 9.
We all know that you just give up your job as an engineer to journey with Magnus. What have been the sort of sacrifices you needed to make to get Magnus to the place he’s?
As a chess novice myself I by no means thought-about supporting Magnus’ chess actions a sacrifice. Having a baby who excels in your personal passion was, and is, only a nice expertise! For the final 15 years, I’ve primarily labored for Magnus and his firm, and it has been a privilege to pursue this profession path.
You might be somebody who has helped a younger prodigy like Magnus turn into a world No.1 and a world champion at a really younger age. India has now produced a really proficient crop of youngsters who’re already within the high 100, and rising quick. What would your recommendation be to their dad and mom?
I’m usually hesitant to offer recommendation to different dad and mom as a result of younger chess gamers are so totally different and have to be handled individually. And, Indian chess dad and mom are clearly doing very effectively with out my recommendation!
It’s price mentioning that chess is a extremely demanding exercise and fogeys ought to recognize the efforts their youngsters put in and the strain they sometimes put onto themselves. I’d additionally say that, in my expertise, youngsters ought to personal each the event course of and their outcomes. For Magnus it was his personal ardour and curiosity that drove him to excel.