Magnus Carlsen, despite his phenomenal talent, is a school dropout. Unlike most chess players, he likes to play all outdoor sports and loves to play his game (chess) on instinct and more importantly, speaks his mind openly. He does not believe in ‘history’ and lives in the moment.
Carlsen may not be the ‘ideal’ chess player but he doesn’t care. He is aware of his genius and wants to live life on his own terms. So on Wednesday, immediately after the fourth game, it is rumoured that Carlsen and his family checked out of the team hotel and headed for the Fisherman Cove holiday retreat on the outskirts of the city near Mahabalipuram.
Sources close to Carlsen reveal that the Norwegian feels like a ‘caged tiger’ in the hotel. Although he likes attention, Carlsen is not happy with constant security around him whenever he steps out of his hotel room. Sources say he feels suffocated in protected environment and enjoys being a free man doing what he likes without being disturbed.
Carlsen enjoys the beachfront where he gets to unwind and relax. He enjoys swimming in the open sea, plus uses the plush lawn and huge seashore to have long walks and relax.
He also gets to play volleyball in the privacy with his team at the resort. Henrik Carlsen, father of Magnus said that his son was an outgoing type of boy from childhood, one who loves to play outdoor sports and chess.
“He loves football and believes that some physical activity helps him de-stress after a gruelling match. He has been an outdoor person right from childhood who loves field sports,’’ said Henrik. “In fact, during the initial rounds of the tournament after the match he (Carlsen) went to a bowling alley at a mall next to the hotel to play,’’ added Henrik.
In the first off day after the first two games Carlsen went to the Santhome School, near Marina beach, to play football and basketball. He also walks regularly at a nearby park close to the hotel. Henrik states that Carlsen is crazy about football and his favourite teams are Real Madrid and Barcelona.