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Magnus Carlsen Exclusive | World No. 1 reflects on his beginnings in chess, parenthood’s impact & the infamous table-banging moment
World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen was involved in a never-before-heard conversation with Firstpost's Rupha Ramani in the sidelines of the Global Chess League in Bengaluru.
What happens when one of the world's finest chess grandmasters gets candid? It gives a whole new perspective. World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen recently opened up about things which go beyond the chessboard, speaking about the influence of parenthood and his struggles in the game.
Speaking to Firstpost's Rupha Ramani on the sidelines of the Global Chess League in Bengaluru, Carlsen delivered an unfiltered response to multiple subjects, including India's ascent as a chess powerhouse, the emergence of D Gukesh and R Praggnanandhaa and how the new-gen players are challenging his era.
The World No. 1 also opened up on what fuels his relentless drive, the sting of defeat and the scrutiny that comes with every move.
'Chess didn't come super easy to me'
During the never-before-heard conversation, Carlsen was asked how much of his skill was natural and honed. He reflected that Chess didn't come to him easily, and he had to work his way through to make the game his thing.
"It's hard for me to say. I think chess didn't come super easy to me at first when I was being taught it at an early age. So it took a little bit of time, and then I started studying it a lot on my own.
Eventually, it became my thing. But I feel that there are others who are kind of quicker in their calculations. They rely more on that, like, I don't know, some kind of mathematical talent more than I do.
"But at the same time, all that I've done over the years has developed a very, very good natural feeling for the game. So, yeah, a bit of both," Carlsen said to Firstpost.
Beyond the 64 pieces, Carlsen began parenthood with his wife, Ella Victoria, after welcoming their first child in September 2025. The World No. 1 admitted that his performance was affected due to lack of sleep in the first few months, but it is now easier for him to accept losses as he returns home to beaming smiles awaiting him.
"In the first few months, I was sleeping a lot less. And maybe that affected me at tournaments sometimes.
"But honestly, after that, I still have to play, I have to travel, I have kind of my work to do. But it makes it a little bit easier to kind of accept losses and so on.
"Because there's always someone smiling at you at home," The World No. 1 added.
Carlsen not proud of the infamous table bang
One of Carlsen's most viral moments happened during the 2025 Norway Chess when he banged the table out of frustration during a classical chess match against D Gukesh. The Norwegian had the edge until a critical error cost him dearly, leading to his defeat.
"No, I guess I wasn't thinking of any of that at the moment. It was just pure despair in the moment. That was also a tournament that had gone so perfectly until then. And I think it was kind of my worldview, like, a little bit falling apart at that point, because I dominated that tournament that far.
"I'd won a couple of games without being close to losing, particularly. And if I won that game, I would have beaten Gukesh twice, the World Champion. Well, I guess he was already at that point. And just kind of showing that, yeah, I'm the man to beat. You guys are still not close.
"And after that, I just felt, yeah, I lost control in time. Everything kind of came together at the same time. The meme itself, whatever, it's not my proudest moment. But at the same time, over the course of my career, it just speaks to a competitive nature.
"And probably, honestly, low blood sugar at the time as well," The Norwegian added.
Magnus Carlsen's next tournament is the Carlsen Chess Challenge in Oslo, Norway, which is set to take place September 19 to September 24, 2026. He will also be in action at the Grand Chess Tour - London Classic from November 15–24, 2026, in London, UK.