Norwegian chess player Magnus Carlsen was born on 30 November 1990 in Tønsberg. He was eight years old when he started to show interest in chess. His older sister started to play competitive chess and Magnus wanted to win against her. He persuaded his father to buy him chess books. The first book he read was Bent Larsen’s “Find your Plan!” (Wikipedia). His peak rating is 2851, his highest World Ranking is 1st in January 2010.

In the 2013 World Chess Championship organised by FIDE, Magnus Carlsen played against defending champion Viswanathan Anand. The championship took place in Anand’s hometown, Chennai, from 9 to 22 November. They planned a 12 game-match but after the 10th game Magnus Carlsen won the championship to 6 ½ - 3 ½ and won the title for the first time. He is the first Norwegian Chess World Champion.

In the 2014 FIDE World Chess Championship Anand challenged Carlsen. The match was held in Sochi from 8 to 25 November. Magnus Carlsen defended his title by winning after eleven games to 6 ½ - 4 ½.

In the 2016 Chess World Championship Carlsen is going to play against Sergey Karjakin in November 2016 in New York.

Carlsen participated in five Chess Olympiads between 2004 and 2014 playing for Norway, but he did not win any medals either individually or in team.

His honours:

Chess Oscar in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012

Peer Gynt Award in 2011