Magnus Carlsen (image credit: X) If other elite chess players ask scientists to do a case study to prove that Magnus Carlsen is a different breed and therefore shouldn’t be allowed to play against humans, they can be completely forgiven!By winning the World Rapid and Blitz in Doha, Qatar – his fifth such double and 20th world title overall in a stunning career – the 35-year-old proved once again that his competitors, including what Garry Kasparov called “Visha Anand’s children”, are children compared to him.
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“If I’m not mathematically eliminated, then it’s probably not a good idea to disqualify me,” Carlsen said at a news conference broadcast on the FIDE webcast, to laughter.Carlsen called his 2016 silver in blitz and bronze in speed “unfinished business” – and admitted that not winning the blitz title still bothered him – saying: “It wasn’t an easy decision to play here at all. But once I decided to play, I told myself I should give it my best. I probably overachieved a bit at times.He also spoke about his struggles in the blitz, which forced him to score 4.5 in the final five rounds to qualify for the semi-finals.“I wasn’t doing a lot of things right until the 14th round. My pace was too slow and I couldn’t stay cool in time trouble, which is a pretty bad combination when you’re playing slowly.”“But once we got to the knockouts, I thought I should really try and enjoy it. I didn’t necessarily expect to be there. It was a tough event, but I’m super happy because I defied the odds at some point.”When someone suggested his waning powers in relation to his fight, Carlsen said, “I don’t think I’m getting worse compared to my opponents!”He also boasted about his quality: “When I’m in the game, I’m usually very good in whatever format you put in front of me.”Carlsen showed his human side to other players and critics, his nerves on display as he stretched the same endgames to defeats in the crunch games of both tournaments – banging the table, spilling pieces and even pushing the cameraman’s equipment.But he was good enough to give his followers another reason to chant his name.When you’ve dominated a rapidly evolving brain sport in this way for 15 years – and elevated it with online initiatives during the Covid pandemic – some behavioral concessions are well-earned.Another eccentric player, Alireza Firouzja, recently stated that he respects Carlsen. “Magnus says what he believes in and does what he believes in,” he said in Mumbai.Carlsen explained: “When I play here, I play for first place. A lot of players, most of the top boards, want a good prize and maybe a medal and maybe a win. Winning one of the main prizes is the most important thing for them. But for me it’s different. That’s definitely a huge psychological advantage that I have and that’s one of the reasons why sometimes I try to run away at the end when others are solid.”World No. 2 Hikaru Nakamura did not approve of Nodirbek Abdusatorov’s progress in the final.Nakamura said on his streaming platform, “While it’s good to treat Carlsen like any other player on a certain level, in certain situations – especially in the endgame – you have to be careful who you play. It’s better to simplify the position than to engage in positional battles with Magnus.”The player knows how to cement his position as one of the absolute greats, even as the usual suspects arrive with younger, sharper minds and AI support.
