Magnus Carlsen, the world’s top-ranked chess player, has joined the Norwegian team at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest. While Carlsen’s presence is a major boost for the team, it also brings its own set of challenges, according to team captain Odin Blikra Vea.
Vea, a Candidate Master who represented Norway at the Olympiad at age 19, was surprised when he was asked to lead the team. He and Carlsen grew up playing chess together, and Carlsen’s meteoric rise has had a profound impact on both Norway’s chess scene and Vea’s own career.
“Having Magnus on the team is a huge motivation for us,” Vea said. “He’s always thinking about what’s best for the team, and his fighting spirit and motivation have an impact on everyone.”
However, Vea also acknowledges that playing alongside the world’s best player can be daunting for the other team members. “They might be feeling the pressure to deliver for Magnus and not let him down,” he said. “As a teammate, you’re sitting beside Magnus, and you know he’s watching your moves, so there’s no hiding from the truth.”
Vea’s biggest scare during the Olympiad came in Round 3 when Carlsen arrived late due to a miscommunication. Carlsen cycled from his hotel to the venue in the rain and couldn’t locate the entrance, coming within four minutes of losing his game by forfeit.
Despite the challenges, Vea believes that Carlsen’s presence on the team is a positive force. “He’s a close friend, and we both have always loved to play sports together,” Vea said. “His love for chess is unmatched and has rubbed off on me and made me more relentless in the things I do.”
Vea is realistic about Norway’s chances of winning a medal at the Olympiad, but he considers India a strong contender for gold. “Although I’m not playing, I’m here at the heart of the battle,” he said. “As captain, it’s nice to have Magnus on my side.”
