THE RECIPE FOR A CHAMPION

Sports fans in Azerbaijan have already got used to the annual visits of well- known sportsmen. The only exception to this is perhaps the chess players; the last time Vishwanathan Anand, who was still ranked world champion, visited Baku was four years ago. The new champion, leader of the FIDE [Chess Federation] rating, Magnus Carlsen, who won his title in November 2013, arrived in Baku a few days ago. The Norwegian grandmaster has come to Azerbaijan to take part in a tournament in memory of the well-known Azerbaijani chess player Vuqar Hasimov, who passed away recently after a long illness.

Regionplus did not miss the opportunity to provide its readers with an interview with the new world chess champion.

It was not that easy to have a conversation with Carlsen because he is not very talkative. Although he did not refuse to have contact with the press when he arrived in Baku, he didn't allow the interview to be too long.

- We are pleased to see you back in Azerbaijan. You probably still remember your first visit to Baku?

- Thank you. It's the second time I have come to Azerbaijan. As always, they are particularly respectful to visitors. This time I have to note how well organised the tournament in Samkir is. Even when you leave the airport, you feel that every visitor will take with him a feeling of satisfaction when he leaves.

- Your first visit to Baku was to attend the FIDE Grand Prix. At that time, Vugar Hasimov won first place…

- Vuqar won at the Grand Prix, and I took third place. That was a very interesting tournament. Hasimov was remembered for some fine games. His career began to take off from his win at that Grand Prix.

- What are your memories of Vuqar Hasimov?

- To be honest, I didn't expect this question. We played at several tournaments. It probably will come as no surprise to you when I say that he was a splendid person and an excellent chess player. I was really shocked by his death. Unfortunately, he's no longer with us. I learned from his friends and the media that he was undergoing a long course of treatment. Right until the end I thought that everything would be all right. But it turned out that things could not be changed. He was a very talented and creative player; his debuts in the Benoni defense moves will never be forgotten.

- You seem to have changed. We saw a different Magnus Carlsen the last time you came to Baku…

- (he smiles) It means I've got a bit older. I have come to Baku from Oman, where I have been taking part in training matches. I've had a bit of a rest, but I don't feel any different.

- The last time you came to Baku you were simply a Norwegian chess player. This time you are the world champion.

- The only aim in my life has been to become world champion. I have achieved that and now I want to defend my title. There aren't any other changes except that I've grown up a bit.

- Before the match with Vishwanathan Anand for the chess crown everyone regarded you as the favourite. That probably had a psychological effect on  your rival.

- I can't say anything about that. At any rate, Anand is a strong chess player. I prepared myself very thoroughly for the match with him. It must be taken into account that the matches for the world crown are played according to a very strict system. It was not at all easy to win, but it was the outcome of really hard work.

- When Anand had beaten off the would-be winners, he gained the right to play you again. Are you prepared for another duel with Anand?

- If you don't mind, I shall not answer that question. At the moment, all my thoughts are focussed on the tournament in Samkir.

- Is it important for you to win in that tournament?

- Of course, I came to Azerbaijan to win. I want to win the tournament in memory of Vuqar Hasimov. I recognise that it will be a serious challenge. I expect my fellow competitors are thinking the same. Everyone wants to win.

- That means that you agree with those who think you are the favourite in the tournament?

- I have to prove that I am the favourite. But that does not mean that I will win an easy victory. Every rival possesses professionalism and experience. So winning will not be easy.

- What has changed in your life since the championship?

- Only the fact that I am now the champion. And that the media pay more attention to me. I try to work on myself even more. I get more invitations now.

- In one interview your father stated that the journalists pursue Magnus. Are you so fed up with my colleagues?

- Not really! My father wanted to say that the media are always focussing on me. No matter which country we go to, the journalists are there waiting for us and put questions to us. I'm glad that they find me interesting. We need to maintain that interest.

- Your father accompanies you everywhere? Does he do that for luck or is it boring for you to travel on your own?

- Besides being a parent, my father is also a friend and adviser. He conducts most of the negotiations. That's convenient for me. Ever since I was a child, no matter where I travelled, he was always at my side. I sometimes say to him that he gets tired, spending every day on the road with me.

- Frequent trips, flights, getting to know new people - don't you find this pace of life stressful?

- I do sometimes get tired. But you journalists go on trips and you have a lot of work to do. I enjoy playing chess. In order to do that I need practice and trips (to tournaments - ed.). Therefore I've got used to it. But more often than not, when I'm in a different town I spend some time on my own in my hotel room, and that's how I relax.

- What do you think about Azerbaijani chess players' chances of winning the world chess crown?

- Azerbaijan is one of the countries where chess is developing. You have plenty of strong chess players. All you need to do is to work hard on it. At the last would-be champions' tournament Sahriyar Mammadyarov didn't play at all badly. The main thing is to set oneself a goal and go for it.

- What's your attitude to food? Do you like to eat tasty dishes?

- Who doesn't like to eat delicious food? Sometimes I'm content to have coffee and fruit. But I don't turn down tasty dishes. I'm not a big eater however. If I were, I would have to spend a lot of time in the gym. I do some sport during the day - I go jogging, play football and therefore keep fit.