Tekst: INGA RAGNHILD HOLST

GARDERMOEN, OSLO (SCANDINAVIAN TRAVELER): Don’t be afraid of me. If you’re afraid, then you’ve lost aready, Magnus Carlsen says in this interview.

Magnus Carlsen travels a lot. In fact, you’ll find him on a plane about 200 days ot the year. He often sleeps on his flights. But when he’s not sleeping, he plays chess against himslef on the Play Magnus app.

«Sometimes I play agains Magnus aged 23,» Carlsen, now aged 25, says. «And I don’t always come out on top.»

Carlsen is called the Mozart of chess. He has been playing the game since he was five years old. He was only 13 when he became a chess grandmaster, the third youngest person ever to achieve that level.

Carlsen’s exciting style of play is also making chess tournaments appealing to a wider audience than has been the case in recent years. It’s the speed, the drama and the breathtaking moments. He’s modest, though, and says that you, too, can become a better player if you have a good opponent to practice on.

And what better opponent to hone your skills with than Carlsen himself.? SAS traveles can now do just that – play against the grandmaster. SAS has teamed up with Play Magnus to offer the chess app on the SAS App that is ued my a million travelers.

THE PLAY MAGNUS APP will also soon be available in the onboard entertainment system on SAS’ intercontinental flights. And if you think Carlsen is too intimidating an oppnent, you’ll be able play against other travelers on your flight.

«We also want to look into the possibilit of travelers on different intercontinental flights playing against each other, says Eivind Roald, executive Vice President SAles and Marketing at SAS.

If you want to improve, it’s important to have an oponent that’s your equal or better,»Carlsen says.

«In the app, you’ll meet Magnus at various levels. You can play against me aged five or how I play now.»

It’s worth noting, though, that the average player of Carlsens’s app loses to the eight-year-old Magnus.

«With a few days of chess training online and some good oponents, it won’t take long for you to be good, » he adds. «Your don’t need any experience to play Magnus aged five in the app. Don’t be afraid of me. If you’re afraid, then you’ve already lost. You have to believe in your own ability and not double-check everything. Then just hope for the best.»

LES OGSÅ: Wikipedia-gründer: – Vi er svært elitistiske

Carlsen’s chess tips

For beginners
Take control of the center. If you control the center, you control the entire board.

For intermediate amateurs
Watch out for the double attack. If you have two pieces that are unprotected, you can quickly find a queen or rock attacking both.

For advanced players
Always think practically. If you play against the thirteen-year-old me, you’ll know that he plays an extremely practical game. The 2004 me doesn’t really care if he has a poor pawn structure, as long as he fool you tactically.

Denne artikkelen stod i SAS’ magasin Scandinavian Traveler, 2016.