I started by just sitting by the chessboard exploring things. I didn't even have books at first, and I just played by myself. I learnt a lot from that, and I feel that it is a big reason why I now have a good intuitive understanding of chess.

Magnus Carlsen

Some people think that if their opponent plays a beautiful game, it's okay to lose. I don't. You have to be merciless.

Magnus Carlsen

If you want to get to the top, there's always the risk that it will isolate you from other people.

Magnus Carlsen

Without the element of enjoyment, it is not worth trying to excel at anything.

Magnus Carlsen

People ask what my goal is. I don't have a goal.

Magnus Carlsen

I spend hours playing chess because I find it so much fun. The day it stops being fun is the day I give up.

Magnus Carlsen

I get more upset at losing at other things than chess. I always get upset when I lose at Monopoly.

Magnus Carlsen

I don't look at computers as opponents. For me it is much more interesting to beat humans.

Magnus Carlsen

Unfortunately I'm still not a fashion expert.

Magnus Carlsen

One of the things that first attracted me to chess is that it brings you into contact with intelligent, civilized people - men of the stature of Garry Kasparov, the former world champion, who was my part-time coach.

Magnus Carlsen

Maybe if I didn't have the talent in chess I'd find the talent in something else. The only thing I know is that I have talent in chess, and I'm satisfied with that.

Magnus Carlsen

My father, a fine chess player himself, has been a massive influence throughout my life.

Magnus Carlsen

My former coach, Simen Agdestein, used to be the best player in Norway.

Magnus Carlsen

I enjoy hiking and skiing, like most Norwegians. In winter, there will be snow for months on end. In the summer, there are the long evenings to enjoy.

Magnus Carlsen

Right now I'm really happy with how things are going with my chess career, so I'm not thinking of doing anything else.

Magnus Carlsen

I've never been much of a computer guy at least in terms of playing with computers. Actually until I was about 11 I didn't use a computer for preparing for games at all. I was playing a bit online, was using the chess club mainly. Now, obviously, the computer is an important tool for me preparing for my games.

Magnus Carlsen

I started by just sitting by the chessboard exploring things. I didn't even have books at first, and I just played by myself. I learnt a lot from that, and I feel that it is a big reason why I now have a good intuitive understanding of chess.

Magnus Carlsen

Chess only appeals to quite a small minority. It does not have the cachet of a mainstream popular sport.

Magnus Carlsen

Once you're a chess player, you spend a lot of time thinking about the game and you can't get it completely out of your head.

Magnus Carlsen

It's nice to be financially secure. Apart from that, I really don't care too much about money.

Magnus Carlsen

It's just not my nature to go around idolizing people.

Magnus Carlsen