With the FIDE World Championship match between Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi around the corner it is time to know the reigning champion and the challenger a bit better. We present some interesting facts about Magnus and Ian below:

1. Learned to play chess when he was 5
2. His peak rating is 2882
3. Holds  the record for the longest undefeated streak - 125 games, from 31 July 2018 to 10 October 2020
4. Rated #1 in the world (classical chess) since July 2011
5. Has won 12 World Championships (4 classical, 3 rapid and 5 blitz)
6. Reached the top 100 when he was 15 years old
7. Modelled for G-Star Raw alongside Liv Tyler
8. Was a guest star in The Simpsons
9. Dedicated fan of Real Madrid C.F.
10. Was leading Premier League’s official Fantasy Football table

1. Learned to play chess when he was 4.5
2. His peak rating is 2792
3. His lifetime record vs. Magnus Carlsen in classical chess is +4 -1 =8
4. Is a 2-time Russian champion
5. European Individual Champion (2010)
6. Graduated from the Russian State Social University majoring in journalism
7. A proud owner of a cat and a dog
8. Appeared in the Russian TV show “What? Where? When?”
9. Devoted fan of Spartak Moscow
10. Played DotA and Dota 2 at a competitive level

Official website of FIDE World Championship Dubai 2021