Magnus Carlsen

I was lucky enough to attend schools where they were understanding about when I needed to go abroad to play chess. Of course, socially it is important to go to school and interact with people your own age.

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.

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

It's easy for me to get along with chess players. Even though we are all very different, we have chess in common.

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

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.

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

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

I got the travel bug when I was quite young. My parents took me and my sisters out of school and we travelled all over Europe. It was an eye-opening experience and, although I love Norway, I also enjoy visiting new countries. I don't get homesick.

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

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.

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