Move over, traditional sports stars, chess has a new kind of champion in Magnus Carlsen, the 34-year-old Norwegian grandmaster who’s doing for chess what The Queen’s Gambit did for Netflix ratings. Carlsen has emerged as the sport’s undisputed rock star, bringing a dash of Nordic cool to what was once considered the domain of dusty libraries.
With movie-star looks and a modeling portfolio that includes campaigns with G-Star Raw, Carlsen breaks every stereotype of the traditional chess master. His recent fairy-tale wedding to Ella Victoria Malone only
adds to his fascinating public persona — part genius, part modern cultural icon.
On the board, he’s simply sublime. His intuitive style and psychological dominance have earned him the highest rating in chess history. He plays with a casual brilliance that makes even fellow grandmasters look like amateurs. In an era where chess has become surprisingly sexy —with millions following matches on Twitch and social media — Carlsen remains its brightest star, equally comfortable in high-stakes classical tournaments or playful online speed matches. Who knew chess could be this cool?
“The day it stops being fun is the day I give up.”
