 "Magnus Carlsen opens up about marriage and fatherhood: 'Will encourage my kids to test chess'")
Chess superstar Magnus Carlsen is on a podcast spree, offering fans fascinating insights into his mindset. While appearing on the popular The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Carlsen, recently spoke about what he considers to be his peak phase, discussed the 2022 cheating scandal involving Hans Niemann and recalled the time when he trained with Viswanathan Anand before becoming the world champion.
In his latest podcast with Botez sisters – Alexandra and Andrea – Carlsen discussed his personal life, recent marriage to Ella Victoria Malone and whether he would want his children to be chess players.
Carlsen says his wife has been a great support
World No.1 chess player Carlsen married Malone in a private ceremony in Oslo earlier this year.
On the BotezLive podcast, Carlsen was asked about how his game has changed since getting married to Malone. His reply: “I should be very careful about what I say right now. I’ve generally played quite well and had fun playing chess since we got together. I’ve won 100% of my classical tournaments – granted I’ve only played one. She’s a great support at tournaments as well. She understood quite quickly that I get a little moody when I play but she deals with that pretty well.”
Asked to give advice to youngsters looking for love, Carlsen said: “I have tried and failed before. This time it was right and both of us felt very sure about that. It has been a great ride and the best is yet to come.”
The 34-year-old Norwegian also revealed that he looks forward to becoming a father someday and that he would want his children to try out chess.
“That is definitely in the plans…I will not force anything on my kids when that day comes but I think chess is a great game and it’s fun and I think I will at least encourage my kids to test it.”
Impact Shorts
More ShortsWhile Carlsen made a winning start in the Chess Bundesliga after his marriage, he finished fourth in the German leg of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour 2025.
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