Carlsen

Magnus Carlsen (born 1990) reached the elite as a teenager. He won the 2013 Candidates Tournament, the competition that selects the challenger to the World Champion, and defeated Viswanathan Anand 6½-3½ later that year to become World Champion. He defended the crown four times and, after defeating Ian Nepomniachtchi in 2021, chose not to enter the next title defense. His reign ended when the cycle concluding in 2023 produced a new champion.

Carlsen is difficult to summarize with one style. He can play tactical or quiet positions, but one of his most recognizable strengths is continuing to create problems when a position looks balanced. He is especially skilled in endgames, the phase with fewer pieces, and in positions where a tiny advantage in space, activity, or structure can grow gradually.

He has also been less dependent than some champions on obtaining a large advantage from the opening. He often accepts playable positions with plenty of chess left and trusts his understanding, precision, and stamina to outplay the opponent later.

His peak FIDE rating of 2882 is the highest ever recorded in the ranking system of the International Chess Federation. A rating is a numerical estimate of competitive strength based on results against other players. It helps compare performance within the rating system, but it is not the same as holding the World Championship. That distinction also matters when comparing his career with Kasparov.