Dream Team: Norway’s chess star Magnus Carlsen has recently started training with the perhaps best player in the history of chess, Garry Kasparov. The Norwegian newspaper VG reveals that the two have been working together for half a year, and will continue for at least a year. The goal is to make Magnus Carlsen no. 1 in the world during 2010.

Magnus Carlsen is a media darling in Norway

According to VG and chessbase.com, Kasparov said about his student that “with so many victories coming relatively easily to his immense talent and fighting spirit, the final crucial ingredient of relentless work will guarantee his place in history. (…) In six months of working with Magnus I have seen in him many of the qualities of the great champions.”

On Chessvibes.com you can read a very interesting interview with Magnus, where he shares his thoughts on working with Kasparov. “I always feel tired at the end of the day. But that’s good,” Magnus says.

Let’s have a look at how Magnus’ new mentor gave him a lesson in Reykjavik 2004.

Garry Kasparov – Magnus Carlsen

 

Magnus has played some weak moves, and is immediately punished. Can you see how Kasparov wins?

22.d7! Bxd7 23.Bxd4 Magnus is now losing, since he can’t defend against both the fork at f6 and all the heavy pieces directed against d7. Kasparov won easily after 23…Nxd4 24.Qxd4 Nf5 25.Qxd7 1-0 (32 moves).

Read more at chessbase.com.