Facing the World's Best: How I Drew Against Magnus Carlsen

Facing Young Magnus Carlsen

In 2010, I had the honor and great pleasure to play with the great Magnus Carlsen, who at the time was not yet World Champion but was ranked number one. I must mention that I had previously played against him once before, back in 2004 in Reykjavik, when he exploded onto the chess scene and drew attention to himself with his play and talent. That year, after the open tournament where we played, he also participated in a rapid and blitz tournament, where he held his own against top world players. The most striking moment was when he drew with the famous Garry Kasparov.

In that first game in 2004, I lost to the young Magnus, and I must admit that it was one of the most unpleasant moments of my career. Besides his strong play, it was also uncomfortable to face his youth, confidence, playing posture, along with the large number of chess enthusiasts gathered around the table (of course, because of him). Even though his behavior was charming and youthful, it created pressure for someone much older.

From Top Dog to Underdog

Let's go back to 2010 and the game I'm about to show you. Unlike the first game, this one was much easier for me psychologically. By this point, I was facing an established player whose results confirmed that it was only a matter of time before he would become World Champion. Such a game definitely motivated me a lot, and I believed in myself. The photographers and crowd around my opponent this time further motivated me, and I saw this game as a great opportunity to further establish myself in the chess world. I must mention that strong opponents always inspired me, and I often played much better against them than against those who weren't part of the elite of world chess. At that Olympiad, I faced opponents like Kramnik, Vachier, Movsesian, Beliavsky, Van Wely, and numerous others.

As for the preparation before the game, I didn't spend much time on it. I checked what he plays, saw that he plays everything, and realized it was almost impossible to prepare for him, so I just closed my laptop. Once again, it confirmed what I've always believed—that chess is worked on at home, and that's the foundation for good results!

The ideal preparation for a tournament game should look like this:

1. You have ready files from your repertoire.
2. If you're playing someone with a narrow repertoire, you just review your lines before the game and save energy for the battle. (You're not going to refute any opening in just a few hours, trust me on this one, I've tried.)
3. If you're playing someone who plays everything, you refresh the areas where you feel least confident. (Players who tend to play everything often try to find holes in your repertoire and exploit them)
4. You look at his playing style and try to impose something that doesn't suit him or something you like.
5. Go well-rested into the game. (I constantly remind my students to sleep and eat proper food both before and during the tournament!)

Carlsen, Magnus (2826) - Sedlak, Nikola (2550)

The Key Lesson

My face-off with Magnus Carlsen teaches us several valuable lessons about chess and competition.

First, it highlights the importance of remaining calm and composed, even when facing a formidable opponent; acknowledging mistakes can lead to better decision-making in the heat of the moment. Additionally, it underscores the significance of preparation and understanding one’s own strengths, as well as the need to adapt to an opponent's style. Finally, this experience reminds us that even the best players can have off days, and with courage and determination, we can seize opportunities to turn the tide in our favor.

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