“Really drunk”: Magnus Carlsen reveals alcohol anecdote

Magnus Carlsen is the biggest chess star of recent years. Now the Norwegian has told a piquant anecdote about a match from 2012. One thing is certain: the superstar was certainly not in top form that day.

As part of the 2012 London Chess Classic, Magnus Carlsen once explored the nightlife in the English capital. Of course, this did not have a positive impact on his preparation.

“It was the first and only time that I played chess and was really drunk. I couldn’t sleep either. I didn’t sleep a bit,” quoted the Norwegian TV channel “NRK” Carlsen from the podcast “Sjakksnakk”.

In the game against Luke McShane, the chess high-flyer also had his problems. “I felt so tired and sick that at some point I wanted to give up. I was outplayed,” said Carlsen. But the Scandinavian was able to turn the match around and later even won the tournament.

World Chess Championship: Will Magnus Carlsen return?

In the years that followed, Carlsen dominated the chess world. Between 2013 and 2023, the Norwegian grandmaster was world champion. Last summer, Carlsen surprisingly resigned his world title.

“I lack the motivation for another title fight,” said the now 32-year-old in a video podcast published by his sponsor. At the same time, he did not rule out a comeback at a later date.

For this reason, Ding Liren and Jan Nepomnjaschtschi sat opposite each other at this year’s World Chess Championship. The duel created plenty of excitement. So Liren was only able to assert himself in rapid chess with a shorter thinking time. 2.5:1.5 ended the tie break in favor of the Chinese. Whether Carlsen plans an attack as a challenger at the next World Cup remains to be seen.

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