Did a 13 Year-Old Magnus Carlsen Really Get Bored of Playing Chess Legend Garry Kasparov?

Magnus Carlsen today sits comfortably among the pantheon of the greatest chess players of all time. The current reigning world champion is even regarded as a contender for the title of the greatest ever. Not surprisingly, Carlsen was recognized as a prodigy at a young age and was competing at a high level very early in his career.

One of his most memorable encounters in a chess game came against the Russian legend Garry Kasparov at the tender age of 13. Magnus went up against the former world champion in a game at the Reykjavic Rapid 2004 tournament. And, despite being just a toddler, he managed to earn a respectable draw!

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The video of the match and the events surrounding it are part of a documentary titled ‘The Prince of Chess‘. Released in 2005, it followed the journey of the precocious Magnus Carlsen who had become the youngest Grand Master in chess by that time. He was then slated to face Kasparov in a rapid chess game at the event.

Magnus Carlsen’s nervous wait

The documentary shows how Kasparov was late in coming to the table for the match and the nervous wait endured by Magnus. The young Grand Master can be seen waiting at the table and even walking around the arena in the meantime.

“When I was waiting for Kasparov, I thought, ‘I wish he would turn up soon.’ Then I just tried to keep calm,” the 13-year-old Magnus says.

The family of the future world champion was also present there, looking on anxiously. Kasparov had never faced an opponent this young at the time. Also, the documentary informs us; he was paid a good amount of money to play at the tournament.

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One can see the Norwegian teenager trying to while away the time in various ways. He takes a glass of what appears to be a soft drink, flips through the pages of a book, looks on at the other matches being played, etc.

The Magnus Carlsen – Garry Kasparov match

Eventually, the legend turns up, and the game begins. Magnus plays white and starts the match with his first move. The contest then intensifies and both players have to, seemingly, think hard before making their moves. Since this is a rapid chess game, time restrictions also play a part. Magnus takes his time but keeps challenging the former world champion.

Finally, the game ends in a draw. This result is a huge success for Carlsen and his family recognizes it. Kasparov, seemingly in a hurry, puts on his coat and leaves the arena. But the 13-year-old prodigy had achieved a glorious moment in his budding career. It was a sign of things to come.

As it turned out, Carlsen was crowned the world champion around nine years later, in 2013, after defeating India’s Viswanathan Anand. He has also achieved the highest-ever rating in history.

Kasparov, on the other hand, has gone beyond the realms of chess and has become a political activist as well. This match in 2004, between the past legend and the future great, could be seen, retrospectively, as the passing of the torch.