Carlsen celebrates with cake, yoga and poker
NTB/The Local - [email protected]
Published: 24 Nov, 2014 CET.
Updated: Mon 24 Nov 2014 16:53 CET
Norway's Magnus Carlsen savoured his World Chess Championship victory in Russia on Sunday by eating cake, practicing yoga and playing poker with friends and family.
The 23-year-old Grandmaster retained his title, beating India's Viswanathan Anand 6.5 points to 4.5, after a gruelling two weeks of competitive chess.
Following the decisive weekend match, Carlsen toasted his victory with cake and poker in Sochi. The world number one was feeling a little ill and had a well-earned lie-in on Monday. The Norwegian did find the time and energy to do a yoga session later in the day to wind-down after the strain of the past weeks at the chess board.
Carlsen stated that this year's victory felt even better than last year's and he complemented Vishy Anand for putting up a tough fight during their battle in Sochi. The champion also took time up to update his Facebook page, writing "two down, five to go”. This is in reference to Russian chess legend Garry Kasparov's six World Championship victories. Carlsen clearly has set his sights on beating that record. Kasparov praised Carlsen after the Norwegian’s latest triumph and described the Norwegian as a unique talent. "[Carlsen] is a combination of Bobby Fischer and Anatoly Karpov. He has Karpov's precision and feeling for the best positions, and Fischer’s resolve,” said Kasparov. Fischer was the World Champion from 1972 to 1975, before Karpov won the title and held it for 10 years.
Comments
See Also
The 23-year-old Grandmaster retained his title, beating India's Viswanathan Anand 6.5 points to 4.5, after a gruelling two weeks of competitive chess.
Following the decisive weekend match, Carlsen toasted his victory with cake and poker in Sochi. The world number one was feeling a little ill and had a well-earned lie-in on Monday. The Norwegian did find the time and energy to do a yoga session later in the day to wind-down after the strain of the past weeks at the chess board.
Carlsen stated that this year's victory felt even better than last year's and he complemented Vishy Anand for putting up a tough fight during their battle in Sochi.
The champion also took time up to update his Facebook page, writing "two down, five to go”. This is in reference to Russian chess legend Garry Kasparov's six World Championship victories. Carlsen clearly has set his sights on beating that record.
Kasparov praised Carlsen after the Norwegian’s latest triumph and described the Norwegian as a unique talent.
"[Carlsen] is a combination of Bobby Fischer and Anatoly Karpov. He has Karpov's precision and feeling for the best positions, and Fischer’s resolve,” said Kasparov.
Fischer was the World Champion from 1972 to 1975, before Karpov won the title and held it for 10 years.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.