World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen sounded less dismissive than detached while reflecting on his gradual shift away from classical chess, making it clear that after more than a decade at the summit, his priorities have evolved even though his dominance has not faded.
The Norwegian great said that after conquering classical chess, he now derives greater joy from rapid and blitz, while reminding the current generation that they must first climb the mountain he scaled and survive the unforgiving grind of elite classical battles before questioning his priorities.
Carlsen added that he now prefers a “steadier diet” of every format the game has to offer.
“So there is at least some data to suggest that the rating that I have (in classical chess) now is fairly reasonable,” said Carlsen, who is chasing a record-extending eighth title at Norway Chess, while also reminding that despite drifting away from classical chess, he remains the benchmark the world is still chasing.
“And then, yeah, to kind of maintain that level, the times that I play classical, it's kind of up to the others to make a run... and get that first place on the world rankings,” he said.
“That’s for my priorities. I generally prefer faster formats, at least like a steadier diet of that, but I enjoy everything,” added the Norwegian, who as recently as last year won both the World Rapid and Blitz crowns despite the rise of a fearless younger generation.
Carlsen has distanced himself from the classical World Championship cycle largely because of fading motivation, the exhausting demands of opening preparation and a growing dissatisfaction with the format. Having dominated classical chess and held the undisputed world title for a decade, he has often said the excitement and personal meaning of defending the crown had gradually disappeared.
Even as he edges closer to Garry Kasparov’s legendary 20-year reign as World No. 1, a mark Carlsen is roughly five years away from matching, the Norwegian insisted he is not chasing records anymore, recalling how his attempt to breach the mythical 2900 rating barrier ultimately fell short.
“I think the one time I talked about getting a record, it was 2900, and that didn't go very well. I'm kind of giving up that hope. So other records, I don't know, I don't play a ton of classical chess. But it seems that ever since the Qatar Masters in 2013, all of my performances have been in the same range kind of. Now it's about the right doses (of different formats),” said Carlsen.
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