Way to go, Magnus Carlsen!
 

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Today, Norwegian chess player Magnus Carlsen beat the great American hope, Gata Kamsky – in the ongoing World Chess Cup. What is especially amazing, is that Carlsen is 15 years old, while Kamsky is 31.

Kamsky, once considered the US heir to Bobby Fischer, was once rated 3rd in the world, currently no. 23 after launching his comeback. Carlsen has yet to make the top 100. If he secures a draw in the next game, he wins the match, securing 9th place amongst a field of 128 of the world’s strongest players (of these he was only rated 97). Already he has qualified for next year’s Candidates Match, which will culminate in the crowning of a new World Champion in 2007.

Yes! It is worth noting that neither Garry Kasparov nor Bobby Fischer came anywhere near Magnus Carlsen’s performance at such an early age. Carlsen’s performance at the tournament corresponds to an unheard of FIDE-rating of 2736, which would have placed him in the world’s top 10.

His combinatorial depth is amazing. On the 11th move of his game against Kamsky, he sacrificed a knight, in return for a relentless attack that he never ceased, regaining material 7 moves later and forcing Kamsky’s resignation after move no. 48. That game can be played through move by move here: http://www.worldchesscup2005.com/jav...ame=1000710005

The second game is tomorrow and can be watched here http://www.worldchesscup2005.com/main.asp. (Never mind the poor English.)

If you are interested in chess, you can now see history in the making!!


Best regards,
ArcticStones

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Magnus’ 2nd game against Kamsky starts today at 10am Greenwich Time (Friday 16 Dec). See the link above.

:)

Finally, the Norwegians have something to brag about. :D
(Runs out of room to escape a scornful reproach . . . and rotten tomatoes.)

Proud of our humility...
 

Well, you know, we Norwegians are really quite humble – and proud of it. ;)
Oh, my new book sold out after 4 weeks. :D

Link-to, please. And congrats. :)

Yeah, congrats, that's no small feat. I'd like to see a link as well.

Encore by Magnus Carlsen
 

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Today Magnus Carlsen beat Alexander Beliavsky in Round 5 of the Corus Chess Tournament in Wijk an Zee, The Netherlands. He now leads Grandmaster Group B, tied with Arkadij Naiditsch, whom he plays tomorrow.

Magnus forced the experience 53-year-old, four-time Champion of the USSR to resign in just 20 moves, after perpetrating a brilliant combination involving three light officers.

The games of the tournament can be followed online here http://www.coruschess.com. You can also play through any of the games – including today’s where Magnus outclassed his opponent.

:) :) :)

Link to your book please :D... As I don't think you signed ArcticStones on it...

Links to books
 

No, I don’t think they would go for ArcticStones as a pseudonym. :D

Although reviewed in various newpapers, I’ve seen little about this particular book on the web. On the publisher’s website, it’s sold out http://www.pcpublish.no/bokhandel/?ref=xmuhx (bottom). Anyways, I got a real kick out of it reaching no. 5 on Top 10 Books in Bergen (just behind Harry Potter, but ahead of Narnia).

But here’s a couple of books available in English:

This book on Western Norway features the incredible photography of Per Eide, and a large number of articles. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/829...lance&n=283155 There’s no photo on Amazon, but one here: http://woodenspoon.ws/CandyPress/Scr...?idproduct=179

One of the finest modern poets of Norway was Rolf Jacobsen. In this book I’ve translated about 160 of his poems, spanning half a century. http://www.whitepine.org/j.htm By the way, White Pine Press has excellent translations of Spanish-language novels, short stories and poetry.

Best regards,
ArcticStones

Magnus wins again
 

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Today, Magnus beat Germany’s strongest chess player, with whom he was tied for 1st place. The 15-year-old Grandmaster is still undefeated and now leads Group B alone, a full point ahead of the competition, with 5 out of 6 points.

Magnus won!
 

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Today Magnus Carlsen won his group in the Corus Chess Tournament, tying for first place. He scored an impressive 9 out of 13, losing only one game. This also means he climbs from no. 89 to no. 60 in the World Rankings.

Not bad for a 15-year-old! He is way ahead of schedule compared to Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov.

:)

Wow...I'm still trying to remember what I was doing at 15...that was actually impressive...nothing comes to mind.

Way to go Magnus!

Magnus is the coolest name ever as well.

Magnus leads in Reykjavik
 

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Today Magnus Carlsen leads the Reykjavik Open Chess Tournament, with two other players, after beating Africa’s strongest player in the 8th round. Tomorrow is the last and decisive round of games. http://www.skaksamband.com/reykjavik...6/results.html

:)

Ahhhh Chess. Love the game, but it makes my brain hurt!!!

I wish him luck!

I know what you mean.

My favourite game, however, is GO, the ancient Chinese/Japanese game. But almost no one in Norway plays it. It’s the most beautiful board game I know!!

Best regards,
ArcticStones

Amazing isn't it? How the most simple ideas (GO) can be trasformed into brilliance!

And then there is chess, which, just starting with the various class pieces and their moves, is daunting and often difficult to grasp for many, and so remains, for the most part an untapped game.

Even when you do get the "basics" once a game starts it's probably the most nerve-wracking experience. Certainly more tense then any PC game I've played....

Absolutely! I love the simplicity of GO (the rules can be learned in 2 min) -- and at the same time it is far more complex than chess in certain respects. The possiblities being infinitely greater.

GO is incredible! It’s about balance, like life itself. But the possibilites are so much greater than chess. And thus, in the final analysis, the great player has to rely on intuition. Because to fathom the strategic picture, it is impossible to base our thinking on "if I do this, then he will to that".

I wish that I would have started playing it when I was far younger.

:)

Light-hearted article on Magnus Carlsen
 

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There is an entertaining interview with Magnus Carlsen in the International Herald Tribune.

Update: Magnus is currently rated as the 2nd strongest player in the world (see top live rating here.

Right now 6 of the world’s 10 strongest players, including reigning World Champion Vishwanathan Anand, are partaking in an invitational tournament in Bilbao. After two rounds, Magnus is leading.

Magnus is World No. 1
 

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After today’s 4th round in Bilbao, Magnus Carlsen is now the World’s No. 1 ranked player.

Amazing that Carlsen managed a victory against Teymour Radjabov in an extremely difficult game; Anand slipped badly against Topalov.

Do note, however that the games are very hard fought, the margins slim, and the top handful of players very even, indeed. It is therefore an open question if Carlsen can maintain lead on the ranking list. The brilliant player Alexander Morozevich recently held it for only a day!

pffft chess? Lets see how he can handle real American sports, like whiskey drinking, gun shooting, over eating, wasting energy, and of course debauchery.

I doubt he could even beat our weakest countrymen.

























jk:eek:

Everyone knows beer pong is the thing now adays :D