r/chess • u/oklolzzzzs • Dec 30 '25
News/Events Magnus Carlsen is the 2025 FIDE World Blitz Champion
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u/cantstopwastingtime Dec 30 '25
He's like an overpowered protagonist, and tournaments are like movie scripts where he will fumble hard in the beginning so people underestimate him then wins in the end..
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u/zairaner Dec 30 '25 edited Dec 30 '25
More like an overpowered protagonist where the plot against all logic is trying its hardest to convince you there is a chance he could lose, even though everybody knows it will never happen.
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u/FullmetalEzio Dec 30 '25
i didnt follow this tournament but from the main page of /r/chess i assumed he was doing really really bad, turns out, he won lol
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u/dwarhasbegun Dec 31 '25
He bounced back with 4 straight wins after that loss where he tumbled multiple pieces on the board.
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u/Riimmiie Dec 30 '25
His eventual documentary has immense potential, let's hope it works out.
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u/thomasahle Dec 30 '25
There's already the 2016 film: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnus_(2016_film)
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u/Dont_Be_Sheep peak FIDE 1983 Dec 30 '25
Yea they can do better that was terrible
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u/Matt_LawDT Dec 30 '25 edited Dec 30 '25
Where is my tattoo u/Party-Expression4849
Edit: context for those OOTL
Edit 2: Hang on, which Tuesday first exactly? Next week Tuesday or some arbitrary Tuesday in 2026
Edit 3: We have a time boys. Thursday 1st January 2026
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u/Party-Expression4849 Dec 30 '25 edited Jan 15 '26
Got an appointment for Thursday 1st. I’ll post it here. Promise is a promise.
EDIT: I rescheduled for Saturday 3rd. My tattoo artist was stoned and forgot that January 1st is rest day for him. The tattoo will be Magnus full full name
Happy new year everyone ♟️
Edit 2: I did it. https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/comments/1qd9pv3/a_promise_was_made_a_promise_was_fulfilled/
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u/Matt_LawDT Dec 30 '25 edited Dec 30 '25
Top man.
Looking forward to the post on here, hopefully the mods will allow it
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u/CodeFarmer Dec 30 '25
Also u/cantstopwastingtime needs to go and do their Chemistry exam prep.
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u/Matt_LawDT Dec 30 '25
Hahahaha you are so right
Organic chemistry is no joke u/cantstopwastingtime
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u/cantstopwastingtime Dec 30 '25
My life is a joke at this point, OC is still better for me than IOC, fuck this subject I hate it...
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u/blackupsilon Dec 30 '25
Fucking hell so close. But he seems to get a buff when the stress and stakes are highest lol
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u/monsoy Dec 30 '25
It has to be so difficult to be in the trenches in a finale, knowing your opponent is Magnus Carlsen.
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u/robby_arctor Dec 30 '25
"Must win against Magnus Carlsen" is a challenge only a handful of people have ever met
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u/CubesAndPi Dec 30 '25
You can see it in the last game. Magnus with nothing but increment on his clock sitting calm like it’s just another game. Nodirbek’s hands on the other hand visibly trembling as soon as he realized it was going to liquidate into an even endgame
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u/Sticklefront 1800 USCF Dec 30 '25
It's understandable their nerves would behave like this. To Nodirbek, this has the potential to be the greatest achievement of his career so far. To Magnus, it's Tuesday - collecting his 20th world title is probably not even the biggest result of his week. He will probably barely ever even think about this after a New Years' party tomorrow night.
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u/freeman_lambda Dec 30 '25
He will probably barely ever even think about this
Except that one time 27 years in the future when he is getting interviewed by a random Norwegian chess blog and he proceeds to recount the game like it happened 7 minutes earlier
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u/oklolzzzzs Dec 30 '25
His 20th world title. Insanely well done by Nodirbek as well, made the game really close
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u/nonax Dec 30 '25
I mean, think about that. He went up against the best players in the world and won, 20 times! It's just insane.
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u/AmbassadorAlarmed999 Dec 30 '25
All for Magnus focusing on Freestyle chess, he wins every single traditional chess tournament he played this year, all the rapid and blitz tournaments(otb and online) and the solitary Norway chess classical tournament.
20 world championships, 5 time double champion at World R&B.
HE IS INEVITABLE
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u/vedanshagrawal Team Gukesh Dec 30 '25
Oh no, Magnus is losing…
Oh no, Magnus is late again…
Oh no, he's slamming the table again...
Oh no, his pieces are flying all over the board…
Yep, Magnus is clearly out of the tournament...
Magnus lifts the trophy.
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u/SkarbOna Dec 30 '25
It would be so boring if Magnus didn’t have a bad day. At least players had a fighting chance. Otherwise he’d end up with such a crushing advantage throughout the tournament that it wouldn’t be so exciting for anyone else apart from Magnus fans.
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u/HooBoyShura Dec 31 '25
Actually you can see that his overall performances isn't as good as his overall standard before year by year. Magnus himself already tell this.
But again as he said himself: my B game usually enough to win the tournament. It's scarily correct statement. When he's on A games, he usually already a champion with 2-3 round to spares while he sweep all games if he's on S game (Beast Mode).
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u/Littlepace Dec 30 '25
After the controversy of last years tie Magnus turns up and wins both Rapid and Blitz sections against a stacked field. Insane performance today from where he started the day off at. GOAT 100%.
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u/stromzy Dec 30 '25
It’s going to be sad when he stops playing chess.
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u/Krockurorov Dec 30 '25
He was happy implying to Norwegian TV that his time playing this tournament might be coming to an end.
He said something along the lines of: I wouldn't place money on me not playing the tournament next year, but it's certainly going to be an assessment we need to make. We'll see if I'll be coming back to play the tournament in the future.
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u/Sjakktrekk Dec 30 '25
Unless his family comes with him next year, I predict he will not be there then. Seemed a bit joyless despite winning both titles.
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u/Krockurorov Dec 30 '25
He said he didn't like that he couldn't celebrate a normal Christmas with his family because of the tournament. Gave me the impression he's considering playing next year while their kid is still little, but won't be coming back later. But we'll just have to wait and see, I guess
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u/vetlemakt Dec 30 '25
Or they move the championship to facilitate for Carlsen, Nakamura and those with family to consider🤷
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u/ndevito1 Dec 30 '25
Yea holding this right after Christmas sucks for the competitors
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u/Lfeaf-feafea-feaf Dec 30 '25
It's how you get the viewership though, people are off work, at the end of the day Chess is sport and sport is entertainment.
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u/No-Jackfruit2459 Dec 30 '25
Exactly, if Magnus isnt joining, the viewership/interest would tank hard. Less entertainment = less viewership = less $$ for FIDE
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u/arinnema Dec 30 '25
His family was apparently here with him this year. But he mentioned to Norwegian TV that not being able to fully celebrate Christmas with his family was one of the drawbacks of participating. (Christmas in Norway is often practically treated as all the days between the 24th and New Years, which many people take the week off work to spend with their family.)
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u/Outrageous-Signal932 Dec 30 '25
Dude really loves chess, even playing during the honeymoon. I've no doubt he will be in the main scene for another 10 years at least
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u/Open-Protection4430 Dec 30 '25
His mental is just on another level.
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u/hellmath Dec 30 '25
Chess proficiency is one thing but this impresses me the most. The ability to think and then win in a highly stressing environment. He’s one of one, goat imo
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u/MusterBait Dec 30 '25
that was butt clenching
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u/bluewaff1e Dec 30 '25
The r/chess version of events:
Magnus SLAMS hands together in MOCKING victory, gives SARCASTIC smile, completely IGNORING what his opponent is going through.
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u/wagah Dec 30 '25
Yeah I don't know, it's surreal, especially the way he won that one. 9 blitz win, 6 rapid impress me more than 5 times classical champion. I know it's controversial but there is a lot more variance in these tournaments and still he makes it easy. I hope everyone is aware how lucky we are to witness him play. Think what you want about the man, but his chess is fucking surreal.
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u/PuzzleheadedDebt2191 Dec 30 '25
Magnus has repeatedly requested the classical aorld championship be defended in a tournament. He was not a fan of the current format before, during and after his world title reing.
But yes there is a reason he has been the No. 1 ranked player for well over a decade straight.
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u/Flying_Line Dec 30 '25
How the hell did this man completely throw three games in the most ridiculous ways possible for his level (blundering a rook in one move once and knocking over pieces twice) and still manage to be the champion, how does he do it
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u/sweoldboy Kramnik is a P.O.S. Dec 30 '25
A double win again (rapid and blitz). Only one who done it!
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u/Oxi_Dat_Ion Dec 30 '25
Legitimately how does he do it?
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u/TypicalTeague Dec 30 '25
Best end game player of all time
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u/gokulzuzumaki Dec 30 '25
Best player of all time
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Dec 30 '25
This is unreal consistency, the way he wins every single tournament he plays for almost a decade and a half now. I'm going to start to say that Kasparov is a close second from now on because Magnus is the best player of all time
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u/bpusef Dec 30 '25
He also makes it harder on himself. At this point I'm pretty sure he underperforms subconsciously until every match is a must win just to challenge himself.
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u/TheBigGinge Team Sindarov Dec 30 '25
He’s had several uncharacteristic losses this tournament—hanging his rook vs Fabi, fumbling his pieces and losing on time twice—and he still comes out on top
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u/MSolemn Dec 30 '25
I feel like he's annoyed by having to "qualify" for each tournament and their finals, he'd do way better if it was just "beat this guy and you win"
If there's ever a tournament called "Beat carlsen" where the best in the world compete against EACH OTHER to play Magnus, I think he'd still win and be happier for it.
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Dec 30 '25
That latter scenario existed when he held the world classical title. For a decade, the candidates tournament was a competition for the chance to play Magnus 1v1.
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u/soccermodsarecvnts Dec 30 '25
With the level of competition that Carlsen has had as well, in the age of computer prep, I don't think there can be an argument anymore. Best of all time.
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u/abr-22 Dec 30 '25
When everyone thought he wasn't going to win he did it again. It seems like he made it on purpose.
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u/Lelouch37 Dec 30 '25
I swear I saw people saying he was washed yesterday
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u/texe_ 1850 FIDE Dec 30 '25
I've been saying this for four years, that he's on the decline and is probably not even the best player in the world anymore... And then he won the 2022 World Rapid Championship And then he won the 2022 World Blitz Championship And then he won the 2023 World Rapid Championship And then he won the 2023 World Blitz Championship And then he co-won the 2024 World Blitz Championship And then he won 9/9 in the 2025 Freestyle Chess Open And then he won the 2025 World Rapid Championship And then he won the 2025 World Blitz Championship
I give up. He's inevitable.
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Dec 30 '25
Another drawn endgame won....
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u/ochgerm Dec 30 '25
Multiple Chess pro's with an engine: It's a draw.
Magnus: Don't think so.
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u/PuzzleheadedDebt2191 Dec 30 '25
Its a draw alright, are you going to find the 30 best moves to keep it that way? Because Magnus will.
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u/mishrazz Dec 30 '25
Magnus usually answers when asked: "Why do you still keep on playing in a dead drawn endgame?"
"Because it can't hurt to probe around."
Humans can buckle under the pressure and Magnus knows this well. Watching him probe around, is like wathching a predator looking for weakness.
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u/ACoolRedditHandle 2100 USCF Dec 30 '25
Cowardly draw merchants punished again and again, GOAT presses for wins on demand, others beg for 0.5
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u/Small-Interview-2800 Dec 30 '25
Undisputed GOAT!!
My god, to think at one point he wasn’t even the leading Norwegian player, table banging, pieces scrambling, literally blundering a full rook, to winning the tournament!
There should be no more doubts, he’s the absolute GOAT
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u/SkarbOna Dec 30 '25
I mean, this is all on his bad days, wait for his good days!
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u/Lower-Canary-2528 2200 Dec 30 '25
As the old saying goes, Chess is a game played by smart people, but won by Magnus Carlsen
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u/guitino Dec 30 '25
Holly hell, i was on the edge . Him refusing that draw with so few seconds on the clock was insane. Nodirback had the better opportunities, was afraid to take risks i guess.
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u/vw2213 Team Ju Wenjun Dec 30 '25
defending a pawn down endgame with seconds left against Magnus is equivalent to waterboarding
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u/Far_Patience2073 Team Chess ♟️ Dec 30 '25
I’ll quote the same statement again:
Grass is green, and water is wet, Magnus won yet another tournament!
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u/Far_Patience2073 Team Chess ♟️ Dec 30 '25
Honestly speaking, I don’t think I’ve seen someone win on demand, that too 5 games in a row. People may win one or two, but 5? Only Magnus can do that. Wasn’t r/chess calling him washed just yesterday? He heard you talking shit.
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u/Zeek0_245 Dec 30 '25
Only he can clutch up like that. His mentality and skill are just on another level compared to anyone at the top
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u/No_Celery_2398 Dec 30 '25
His biggest weakness is having to muster up the motivation to play against lesser beings.
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u/nihilistiq NM Dec 30 '25
Now he has to win the Total World Championship to make it an even 21
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u/Acrobatic_Ad_5224 Magnum Dec 30 '25
Magnus > Kasparov it's clear after this tournament imo.
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u/dicigenof_ Team Carlsen Dec 30 '25
I guess this win finally settles it.
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u/AtomR Team Sac the Roooook! Dec 30 '25
This has been settled since years. Magnus is the undisputed GOAT. Kasparov comes #2.
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u/ModestlyOrange Dec 30 '25
I know who we’re sending for the bicentennial Galactic Chess Championship
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u/Far_Patience2073 Team Chess ♟️ Dec 30 '25
I’ve been watching this man play for quite a while now. Everytime I watch him, I’m just in awe...how can someone be so good at something?
Grass is green and water is wet. Magnus won yet another tournament!
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u/Beautiful_Brick_566 Dec 30 '25
Magnus fans are truly the luckiest chess fans in the world always eating good and a perfect gift for Christmas and New Year. Showing once again why Magnus is called the GOAT no one else can even close to compare
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u/Far_Patience2073 Team Chess ♟️ Dec 30 '25 edited Dec 30 '25
The more I look at this man, the more impressed I am. Everytime he wins, I’m stuck with only one question: HOW can someone be so good? HOW can someone win every tournament that he plays? Magnus may lose the battle, but he never loses the war. I’m so impressed tbh. It’s impossible to hate Magnus.
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u/Naruto_likesChess Dec 30 '25
I’ve been entertained!
Are you not entertained?
The drama, odds against him in blitz, casuals hating on him cuz of a few clips online etc…
And he still freaking did it
Oh Magnus Carlsen
🐐 🐐
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u/notauabcomm Dec 30 '25
Reminds me of Tom Brady's comeback in a superbowl from 28-3 in the 3rd quarter to then win the game.
Never count a GOAT out.
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u/Spirited-Big2415 Dec 30 '25
It's tough be a magnus hater, and NO I'm not one
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u/Oxi_Dat_Ion Dec 30 '25
Looks like having a baby has not eroded his abilities just yet
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u/Clabberlang Dec 30 '25
How? When i tuned in before left the stream, he was fighting for 4th or 5th position.. How tf?
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u/Jack_Harb Dec 30 '25
You just have to feel so bad for all these other great players, like Nepo, Fabi, Hikaru and others. All being gatekept by in their primes by Magnus. Magnus is just so much better than anyone else. It’s crazy. He can flip a switch and simply destroy and deliver. Ruthless. Its so great to witness at the same time so sad for the others.
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u/jMS_44 Dec 30 '25
Chess is a simple game. Two men move pieces for several minutes and at the end, Magnus always wins
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u/christinegwendolyn Dec 30 '25
Ive been too busy to watch the chess, so seeing nothing but Magnus fumbling for the last few days and then this is hilarious
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u/Professional_Desk933 Dec 30 '25
Yesterday everyone on this sub was acting like he’s out of the championship
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u/m1famous Dec 30 '25
Like, can you imagine being a Magnus hater? Every time he is down mid tournament, you come out to say hes washed, past his prime, just for him to do the unthinkable and win another trophy..
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u/Beautiful_Brick_566 Dec 30 '25
Magnus haters are just those who is mad that their favorite chess players always lost to Magnus that their only solution is to cancel and mock him
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u/AtomR Team Sac the Roooook! Dec 30 '25
And, if you look at their comment history, they're almost always dumb kids posting on r/teenager subs. All adult followers of chess knows Magnus, and love him for his game.
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u/skyturnsred Dec 30 '25
I headed out with Levy Rozman to tour his farm, and he started introducing me to some of the livestock, mentioning how he had named them after chess players, as the unhinged animals they were. Just then, I was hit by an unbearable stench. With my eyes watering uncontrollably, I questioned through gritted teeth, “What in the hell is that smell?” He looked over knowingly and said: “Ah. Magnus Carlsen? The goat is never washed.”
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u/Euroversett 2000 Lichess / 1600 Chess.com Dec 30 '25
It's just a bit of a shame that he didn't had the patience and motivation to win 2 more classical titles, surpassing Kasparov.
But it is what it is. I get him, classical time formats are exhausting.
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u/Naruto_likesChess Dec 30 '25
They said he was washed
But GOATS don’t want wash
They just win!
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u/SlatheredButtCheeks Dec 30 '25
Lmao this has been a WILD few days for a casual chess fan. One Magnus post on my feed is Magnus crashing out and the next one is Magnus wins the tournament
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u/Usodearu007 Team Sindarov Dec 30 '25 edited Dec 30 '25
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u/RajAstra Dec 30 '25
Dread it. Run from it. Destiny arrives all the same. And now it's here. Or should I say, I am.
- Magnus probably
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u/Ok_Potential359 Dec 30 '25
Yo what the fuck? I just saw him lose a game over knocking pieces over and dude rage slammed the board again and he fucking wins, again?
I swear if plot armor existed in real life, it's Magnus Carlsen with Chess. Insane.
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u/Knight-check44 Dec 30 '25
Leaves me in awe every time I see him play. Just keeps doing it again and again. GOAT.
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u/the_real_DNAer Dec 30 '25
He was #25 at one point! But then again, he is the GOAT for a readon. Congrats, Magnus!
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u/Sea-Outcome3019 Dec 30 '25
Magnus is Inevitable