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10 Fun Facts About Magnus Carlsen

Want to learn some new facts you might not know about World Champion Magnus Carlsen? Here are 10 fun facts about Magnus, which you may not have heard of before.

1. Magnus Carlsen guest starring on The Simpsons

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Photo credit: FOX

On February 19 2017, Magnus appeared in the 15th episode of the 28th season of The Simpsons. The episode is named "The Cad and the Hat" and the plot centers around Homer realising that he is a Grandmaster and searching advice from Magnus Carlsen himself.

2. The REAL reason he started playing chess

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Photo credit: Arne Horvei

When asked why he started playing chess, Magnus revealed that he started showing real interest in learning the game because he wanted to beat his elder sister.

3. Liv Tyler

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Photo credit: G-Star

Back in 2010 Magnus, and Liv Tyler starred in a campaign together for the brand G-Star. Liv is the daughter of Steven Tyler and plays the role of Arwen in the movie "The Lord of the Rings".

4. The offical FIDE list

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Photo credit: David Llada

It´s been more than nine years since Magnus reached the top of the FIDE list with an incredible rating of 2810.

5. Harvard University

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Photo credit: David Llada

In 2013, before the World Chess Championship in India, Magnus stopped by the US to play against some of the world's best lawyers. But this was not a normal chess match: Magnus was going to play against them all at the same time, blindfolded. If you don't believe it, watch this video to see for yourself! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1Rr4Uq1R-I (Remember to turn on English subtitles if you need them!).

6. Top 100

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Photo credit: Arne Horvei

In January 2006, when Magnus was just 15 years old, he reached the top 100 list of the world's best chess players.

7. A year off for chess

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Photo credit: Lennart Ootes

After finishing primary school, Magnus took a year off so he could participate more in international chess tournaments in Europe.

8. World Championship titles

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Photo credit: David Llada

Magnus currently holds 10 World Championship titles: Four classical, two rapid and four blitz.

9. Magnus´ highest rating

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Photo credit: Lisa Meiner

In 2013, Magnus reached the highest FIDE rating in chess history! The rating was 2861, and it increased to 2282 in 2014. He still holds the highest rated FIDE score today in 2019.

10. Vegetarian?

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Photo credit: Lisa Meiner

Magnus follows a mainly vegetarian diet, influenced by his vegetarian sisters.

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