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Magnus Carlsen: Evolution of the world’s greatest chess player

Published 5:15 AM EST, Wed December 16, 2015
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World No. 1 chess player, Magnus Carlsen, celebrates after winning the prestigious 2015 London Chess Classic... surrounded by some less-than-enthusiastic opponents.
London Chess Classic —
World No. 1 chess player, Magnus Carlsen, celebrates after winning the prestigious 2015 London Chess Classic... surrounded by some less-than-enthusiastic opponents.
Carl Court/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
The Norwegian chess prodigy was 13 years old when he became an international grandmaster -- the youngest at the time. <br />
Champion in the making —
The Norwegian chess prodigy was 13 years old when he became an international grandmaster -- the youngest at the time.
AFP/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
By the age of 16, Carlsen was already ranked 17th in the world.
Sweet sixteen —
By the age of 16, Carlsen was already ranked 17th in the world.
DANIEL SANNUM LAUTEN/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Father Henrik often accompanies his son on tour, pictured here with the 16 year old during a press conference in Oslo in 2007.<br />
Family affair —
Father Henrik often accompanies his son on tour, pictured here with the 16 year old during a press conference in Oslo in 2007.
DANIEL SANNUM LAUTEN/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Carlsen plays against Armenian Levon Aronian in 2008. Today, he says the World No. 6 is one of his toughest opponents.
Worthy opponent —
Carlsen plays against Armenian Levon Aronian in 2008. Today, he says the World No. 6 is one of his toughest opponents.
RAFA RIVAS/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The chess genius has had to grow up under the public eye. Here, the 19 year old looks on while being shaved at a barbers shop in Oslo in 2009.
In the public eye —
The chess genius has had to grow up under the public eye. Here, the 19 year old looks on while being shaved at a barbers shop in Oslo in 2009.
AFP/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Carlsen is one of the most famous chess personalities the sport has seen in recent years. Here, he and actress Liv Tyler attend the G-Star Spring fashion show in New York, 2011.
Celebrity chess player —
Carlsen is one of the most famous chess personalities the sport has seen in recent years. Here, he and actress Liv Tyler attend the G-Star Spring fashion show in New York, 2011.
Rob Loud/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
At 19, Carlsen became the World No. 1. The teenager is pictured relaxing in his teacher's office, in 2009.<br />"My first trainer would sometimes give me some homework that I wouldn't really like -- sometimes I'd do it, sometimes I wouldn't," he says.
Inside the mind of a genius —
At 19, Carlsen became the World No. 1. The teenager is pictured relaxing in his teacher's office, in 2009.
"My first trainer would sometimes give me some homework that I wouldn't really like -- sometimes I'd do it, sometimes I wouldn't," he says.
AFP/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Carlsen achieved the highest rating ever in January 2013 -- beating Garry Kasparov's record by 10 points to reach 2862. <br />He later beat this in May last year with a peak rating of 2882 -- the highest ever.<br /><br /><br />
Top of his game —
Carlsen achieved the highest rating ever in January 2013 -- beating Garry Kasparov's record by 10 points to reach 2862.
He later beat this in May last year with a peak rating of 2882 -- the highest ever.


Oli Scarff/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images

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