One is the best chess participant of his era, maybe of all time, and the opposite is the best soccer strategist of his era—maybe additionally of all time.

This was the second Norway’s chess celebrity GM Magnus Carlsen met face-to-face over a chessboard with one of many greatest names in world soccer, Manchester Metropolis supervisor Pep Guardiola.

Carlsen is busy battling it out in Chess.com’s Champions Chess Tour Finals in Toronto proper now, however earlier than the occasion the pair have been introduced collectively by the worldwide sports activities firm PUMA to speak about what it is like on the pinnacle of their respective video games.

Each are PUMA ambassadors and so they took the chance to debate unforgettable moments from their careers, elaborate on methods and ways in each sports activities, and share ideas and methods with followers.

Carlsen, whose fellow countryman Erling Haarland performs for Manchester Metropolis beneath Guardiola, is a identified soccer fan. Carlsen’s personal allegiances lie with Actual Madrid however, Chess.com understands, he has visited Manchester Metropolis’s Etihad Stadium to look at them play.

“I’ve cherished soccer since I used to be little,” the five-time world chess champion stated. “I performed it daily. I didn’t come dwelling from college; I simply stayed on the college to play soccer. Then I got here dwelling to play chess. It turned out that I used to be higher at chess, so I continued to do this.”

Guardiola and Carlsen used the assembly to research particular targets and strikes, emphasizing the significance of endurance, technique, and adapting to the opponent’s actions.

Guardiola highlighted the importance of controlling the center/middle in each soccer and chess, whereas Carlsen drew similarities between attacking on one aspect and creating benefits.

Additionally they mentioned the position of intuition and unpredictability in attaining success. The dialog delved into the psychological features of high-pressure conditions, emphasizing the necessity for calmness and flexibility.

Each share insights from their respective fields, showcasing the strategic pondering and mastery required in soccer and chess.

“I feel the best way it’s important to take defenders away with the assault is determined by the motion of the opponent. You have to take note of what the opponent does in each single motion and react to that. Magnus has two hours to make the subsequent motion. We’ve got a second to react or take a choice,” Guardiola defined.

The dialog concluded with reflections on prolonged matches, with Carlsen recalling his epic 136-move win in recreation six of the 2021 world championship in opposition to GM Ian Nepomniachtchi. That recreation, the longest world championship recreation of all time, lasted 7.5 hours. Guardiola expressed his admiration for such dedication and focus.

Guardiola has gone on report many occasions about his curiosity in chess. Again in 2012 when he was on a soccer sabbatical, the 52-year-old even sought the recommendation of chess nice GM Garry Kasparov to enhance his understanding of find out how to carry out beneath intense stress.

Kasparov reportedly stated he had given up the ghost in opposition to a then 22-year-old Norwegian challenger. That participant was, after all, Carlsen.

You possibly can watch the complete interview on the Man Metropolis or PUMA‘s YouTube channels.