Magnus Carlsen explained why he held a training camp with Nodirbek Abdusattorov. Carlsen says that Abdusattorov reminded him how to play over the board. Magnus notes that his son liked Nodirbek.

Magnus Carlsen

Magnus Carlsen

World's No. 1

“It was really good to get some practice. And most of the games that I play are kind of casually online, and then you do develop some bad habits, I would say. And you kind of get a little bit back to reality by playing one of the best players in the world.

[Question: Why Abdusattorov?]

It was like a little bit random. But he was super nice. And my son really liked him as well. They had a huge mutual admiration. So that was super nice.”

Magnus Carlsen posted photos and a video from a training camp in Spain on his Instagram in late October. Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Peter Heine Nielsen, and David Howell took part in the camp.

Carlsen and Abdusattorov gathered together at a training camp for the first time. Both Grandmasters will play at the Total Chess World Championship Tour Pilot. The event will take place from November 10 to 21 at the Anantara New York Palace Hotel in Budapest, Hungary.

Credit: Michal Walusza