Russian GM Ian Nepomniachtchi reflected on the names of elite chess players. Nepo talks about the family of American GM Awonder Liang, and mentions Magnus Carlsen’s full name.

Ian Nepomniachtchi

Ian Nepomniachtchi

Russian GM

“There is a chess player, Awonder, his name means ‘wonder.’ Recently I found out that he has a brother Adream and a sister Wesome.

Another little-known fact: Magnus Carlsen is actually called Sven Magnus. Sven is the first name, Magnus is the second. Later they decided to keep the name Magnus. By the way, according to his passport, he is not Magnus, but Sven Magnus.”

The American Liang family is famous for raising chess players with unique names. Their father, Yingming Will Liang, named his children as sound-alikes of real English words. In their family, there are three brothers, Awonder, Adream, and Able, and one girl, Wesome. GM Awonder Liang is USA’s No. 7.

Magnus Carlsen’s full birth name is Sven Magnus Oen Carlsen. Sven is his first legally registered given name, and Magnus is his second. His family and he himself chose to use Magnus both personally and professionally.

Credit: Tor Nilssen / Norway Chess