OT-ing the board, a strategic Brahmastra
Students of strategy watched Magnus Carlsen with interest as he banged his fist on the table, shaking the pieces on the chess board, as he accepted defeat to Dommaraju Gukesh in Stavanger, Norway, on Sunday. Carlsen's fist-bang reminded us of the great Sun Tzu saying: 'If fighting is sure to result in victory, then you must fight, even though the ruler forbid it.' Obviously, the Norwegian was never sure of victory before he started the game, thereby making the cardinal mistake of playing it. But for cannier onlookers - like us - it was a reminder of another option before someone facing imminent defeat: instead of banging the table, overturn the board.
There comes a time when one stares into the abyss - an abyss filled with smug opponents, inevitable failure and lingering regret of ever agreeing to play in the first place. And that is precisely the moment when the only reasonable move left is to flip the board. Whether the board be of chess, carrom or life. It's the last bastion of dignity, the Hail Mary of strategy, the nuclear option of childhood - and adulthood, depending on your level of maturity. By OT-ing the board, no one can definitively prove you were losing. Second, it introduces an exciting new element - chaos - which levels the playing field. Third, it forces a philosophical reckoning: if a game has no outcome, did it even happen?
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Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
‘Rock and roll': The Carlsen impact in Norway
Stavanger, Norway: Almost everyone who visits the commercial bank in Stavanger to cash in on some chess has a Carlsen story to tell. We'll stick to a couple. In a public park this week, Norway Chess hosted an open school chess tournament. Every kid carried hopes and a question: 'Will Magnus be here?' At the turn of last year as the World Blitz Championship was broadcast from New York during the peak holiday season of family time and fireworks, around one million Norwegians tuned in via national broadcast NRK. That's 20% of the country's population. Hundreds of children, thousands of television viewers, one common thread: Magnus Carlsen. 'Magnus is the most famous person in Norway, perhaps in our history,' Kjell Madland, founder of Norway Chess, said. Norway's economic story traces back to the oil boom of the 1960s, a chapter brought to life in a local museum documentary exploring its benefits and costs. But just as oil sells, so does Carlsen. He has helped transform chess from niche and nerdy to cool and mainstream among young Norwegians. He's brought sponsors, primetime television slots, and national pride — and has given every Norwegian the chance to call a chess icon their own. Carlsen's impact goes far beyond the 64 squares. It captures the imagination of nearly 5.5 million people in a nation traditionally defined by winter sports. 'Even though Norway is a country that does well economically and athletically, having a personality like Magnus brings a special pride to Norwegians,' said Sverre Krogh Sundbø, a TV2 sports presenter and former poker player who attended Carlsen's wedding in January. Like many in Norway, Sundbø has closely followed Carlsen's journey—from a 13-year-old Grandmaster to a 22-year-old world champion, to a five-time titleholder who now, at 34, makes just one annual classical chess appearance at home. India, Sundbø believes, perhaps could best relate to what Carlsen means to Norway—both in chess and beyond. 'You're a country where cricket is number one, two, three, four, and five. We've had football and skiing hold that status here. Then Vishy (Viswanathan) Anand comes along and reaches that kind of level in chess. That's Magnus for us,' Sundbø said. And it's been him for over a decade. Aryan Tari, 25, Norwegian GM and 2017 world junior champion, was in middle school when Carlsen won his first world title in 2013—the same year chess was televised in Norway for the first time. 'Kids started playing chess in classrooms,' Tari said. 'It gave me so much joy to see my sport suddenly become popular. And it's only grown bigger since.' In the Stavanger region alone, around 5,000 kids take part in chess tournaments each year, said Lasse Ostebo Lovik, an IM, chess coach and president of the Norwegian Chess Federation and Stavanger Youth Chess Club. In 2015, the federation launched SkoleSjakken, a program aimed at teaching chess in schools. 'There's been a massive boost in interest,' Løvik said. 'I started playing chess before Magnus became who he is. Back then it was niche and geeky. Now it's mainstream and cool.' That 'mainstream and cool' label has stuck with chess in Norway—and with Carlsen. His no-filter, unabashed, and sometimes perplexing persona adds a distinct flavour to the sport. It makes the enigmatic genius stand out among Norway's other world-class modern athletes: Erling Haaland (football), Karsten Warholm (track), Casper Ruud (tennis), and Viktor Hovland (golf). 'Magnus is rock and roll. And we like someone who's a little bit rock and roll,' said Sundbø. 'We need entertainment—and Magnus knows that. You can't emerge on the global stage without a big personality. He's engaging. He's crazy. A lot of people think it's arrogance—but it's not.' Is he arrogant, though? 'Cocky young man,' Henrik Carlsen, Magnus's father, retorts with a smile. It's not the first time Carlsen Sr. has joked about this. 'I used to say that in our family, arrogant isn't a bad word,' Henrik said. 'I mean, if you've earned it, it's okay. And Magnus has earned it. If he comes across as slightly arrogant, it's just his confidence. He's not putting on a show.' Call it what you may, Carlsen's popularity has propelled him to a polarizing figure. 'There are people who absolutely love him—and there are people who don't,' said a middle-aged female volunteer at Norway Chess. 'Either way, everyone in Norway knows Carlsen.' One family flew from Canada to Norway certainly did —and found themselves within arm's reach of the man himself in Stavanger. A photo request was met with a smile and a click, as is the case for many fans who gather around Carlsen after games That's part of why Carlsen still matters. 'Norway Chess couldn't happen without him. The interest just wouldn't be there,' said Madland. 'We needed sponsors, we wanted chess on TV.' Carlsen remains second to none in that regard—even as he has step back from classical chess, limits his appearances, and increasingly prioritizes life beyond the board, especially now as a newlywed and soon-to-be father. 'The most amazing thing Magnus has done is choosing a life. That takes guts,' said Sundbø. 'For the greatest phenomenon ever in chess, it's hard for outsiders to understand that the game may not be the most important thing in his life anymore.' But for Norway, Carlsen still is. Within and beyond the 64 squares. 'Norway producing another Magnus,' said Tari, 'would be like winning the lottery a thousand times in a row.'
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Time of India
Norway Chess: Anand explains Carlsen's meltdown against Gukesh; says 'Carlsen wanted to draw a line in the sand'
Carlsen had a meltdown against D Gukesh as the latter beat him in Round 6 at Norway Chess (Image via ANI) Five-time World chess champion V Anand has come up with three significant observations about the Magnus Carlsen meltdown at the ongoing Norway chess tournament. 'Carlsen wanted to draw a line in the sand with 2-0 score against Gukesh,' Anand told TOI from Stavanger. 'Chess players start to believe that some moves are beneath you, and then you are amazed to find out otherwise,' he added. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! This explained nicely what Carlsen went through during and after the sixth-round defeat against Gukesh on Sunday and his statement afterwards. The Norwegian, after suffering an out of character defeat, let his frustration known to the world. Besides banging the table while losing to Gukesh, the Norwegian also said he has no motivation to play Classical chess and is unsure of playing the format in near future, including the Norway event next year. Anand pointed out that Carlsen has expressed his reservations about Classical chess in the past too. 'It's natural' and doesn't surprise him anymore. 'But it remains to be seen if the last two rounds in Norway are indeed the last two Classical games of Carlsen's career,' Anand said. IPL 2025 Final | Rishi Sunak Interview: 'I am a big Virat Kohli fan... RCB is my team' Anand, 55, who also wears several hats —a mentor, deputy president of the world governing body FIDE and a webcast commentator — was asked if Carlsen's reaction was a result of having fumbled his lines big time against Gukesh. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo 'Everything goes into the pot, right? Certainly the game meant a lot to him, and he came close and slipped. But it could also be fatigue. It could be this new time control. But in this game (vs Gukesh), I think something he wanted to establish, he wanted to draw some line on the sand or tell all these kids, hang on a few years more, whatever. This meant a lot to him. I think with a 2-0 here (100% score against Gukesh), he would have been very, very happy. ' Poll What do you think of Carlsen's reaction against Gukesh? Yes, emotions are natural. He should have controlled his emotions in a better way. Most importantly, Anand felt Carlsen would have hated losing such a good position against any op - ponent. 'These moments matter because you begin to think something that some chess moves (simple moves to convert or draw) are beneath you and you are quite amazed to find out that they are not. You think after so much practice, I should be at least able to trust that I don't do this (mistake)! That's the feeling. And as far as the attention it is getting, I'm not complaining!' Anand recalled himself blowing away a winning position against Carlsen in the 2022 Norway meet. And though he didn't lose that game, the subsequent victory in the Armageddon game didn't help him feel less miserable anyway. Anand also hailed Carlsen as the 'best Classical player in history'. 'I understand there are other contenders, but I think he probably pulls ahead because of many details. And on top of that, he's really put his stamp, especially very early. But keeping that quality all along, winning equal positions, snatching points out of the blue. He's done so much,' said Anand. 'I don't think it's our job or my job to particularly react to whether it's a normal part of life that at some point people stop doing something. But I still have great admiration for what he has done for Classical chess.' Saying that Gukesh is a tenacious defender, Anand said, 'And as they say, no one won a game by resigning. That's the main thing. People often give up and Gukesh just keeps on playing these totally lost positions. 'But not pointless ones. He plays the ones where he still has a little bit of counterplay and he finds re - sources to hang in there. And people get careless. In both games (vs Carslen and Arjun), Gukesh played extremely poorly. If that's a conscious decision to provoke a struggle, I would be alarmed. They were really lousy positions. But then it also tells me that he is an amazing fighter. At the same time, I would not be happy if he depended (only) on that skill. '
The Hindu
11 hours ago
- The Hindu
Carlsen wanted to draw some line in the sand by beating Gukesh in Norway Chess: Anand
World no.1 Magnus Carlsen's fiery reaction after losing to D Gukesh in Norway Chess here was probably because he saw his authority in the game being challenged by someone so young, feels five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand, who also indicated that FIDE could discuss the incident 'very soon'. Frustrated by the loss to Gukesh in Round 6 of Norway Chess, Carlsen slammed his fist on the table sending the pieces flying all over before shouting 'Oh my God' and leaving the playing arena in a hurry, as millions of followers across the world watched the spectacle – some bewildered, some bemused. Anand said the 34-year-old Norwegian desperately wanted to win against the Indian world champion and 'draw some line in the sand'. 'But it (beating Gukesh) mattered a lot to him. Even if all the other games he's kind of going through emotions (here)… But in this game (against Gukesh), I think something he wanted to establish. He wanted to draw some line in the sand and tell all these kids 'hang on a few years', whatever. But this meant a lot. I think a 2-0 (win against Gukesh) here, he would have been very, very happy,' Anand told PTI on the sidelines of Norway Chess on Wednesday. ALSO READ | Norway Chess: Gukesh, Erigaisi in title contention as tournament enters crucial phase The fact that he lost from a winning position, perhaps, exacerbated the frustration, opined Anand, who is the FIDE deputy president and is here for broadcasting commitments as well. 'Against any opponent on earth, he would have hated losing such a good position. I mean to miss that the knight comes back. I felt exactly the same way when I blew my game against Magnus three years ago in 2022 in Norway,' added Anand. Anand averred that several factors could have been responsible for the meltdown. 'Certainly, the game meant a lot to him and he came close and he slipped, but it could also be fatigue. It could be this new time control (in Norway Chess). Here we have this thing where we have Classical chess and then we have a sudden-death Armageddon tie-break (after every game in the event of a draw)…' he said. The chess legend added that he had seen 'enough anger' on the table during his playing career to call it an aberration. 'Yes, (I've seen) enough anger. All this has been around for a while, people screaming and cursing. I think it was in Delhi (2000 World Championship), where after his game with (Estonia's) Jaan Ehlvest, (Vassily) Ivanchuk threw a chair across. So, the only difference is the camera, not the incident. 'And, the other thing I would say is that this (game between Gukesh and Carlsen) was very intense. I mean, maybe Magnus isn't that excited about classical chess, but he's certainly taken on Gukesh (in the format),' Anand said. 'Or if not Gukesh personally… the person who is now the world champion… showing that he (Carlsen) can fight youngsters. I mean, a lot of stuff (was) probably going on in his head, and it came out. So, those two games (against Gukesh), he took very, very intensely and seriously. And that's kind of partially what brought it (frustration) on.' Anand said such incidents are not so common but once in a while they do trickle in and are mostly precipitated by a player losing from a position of strength. 'I mean, it's not that common… Well, you kind of see fragments every day. There was somebody who could barely bear to look at (the chessboard), because he blundered, mostly angry with himself… you're so suicidal, briefly… that you spoiled something that you had done so well.' Anand hinted that the issue will be discussed by FIDE, when asked if soft warnings might be necessary in the future for such actions. 'Laws means definitions. It gets tricky. I guess it will come up (in FIDE discussions), I think. But, you know, on the other hand, if you take someone like (American GM) Hikaru (Nakamura), he says, 'let's have more of it' (Carlsen incident). It gets attention. So, we'll have to balance these things out. 'But certainly, I think it will be discussed very soon,' added Anand. Chess in the Olympics? On whether he foresees chess being included in the Olympic programme sometime in the near future, Anand said FIDE was 'trying hard' to liaise with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and he hoped it could be there in some form or the other. D. Gukesh and Viswanathan Anand at an event celebrating Gukesh's remarkable victory at the World Chess Championship, in Bengaluru on January 5, 2025. | Photo Credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN/The Hindu 'Yes, I very much hope so. I don't know if, at some point, the IOC decides various forms of engagement, either through esports or through the regular games and something. But we are trying very hard in that area,' said Anand.
