I Like Carlsen !

Well the Candidates Tournament is over and Anand vs Carlsen is the plan for November. Will Carlsen win ? Only time will tell, but we should have some interesting games to be sure. Those of us who are old enough to remember the events of 1972 should recall the famous " Fischer Bump ". Interest in Chess went way up and there was a large spike in USCF membership. So will we be seeing a " Carlsen Bump " if the young fellow beats Anand ? Again, only time will tell. However in 7 months we hope to be able to say: " Let the Games Begin ! "

Thanks for the post Chesslover1995.

Well when he smiles and/or laughs he has quite a friendly face however the photo that you chose shows him with a rather serious look. 

I agree.He is a great player to say the least.We should not be biased because of his features. I enjoy watching him play.There is a lot that one can learn from his skill.

What is the reason why people would like chess to be more popular than it is, cabadenwurt? I don't understand?

More people to play against, talk about chess with, etc.

On the other hand it may only encourage more stupid people that one would have to play against, talk about it with, etc.

More bishops or knights threads, I fear.

You people should all join the Carlsen Fan Club. And while I'm a straight male, I find Carlsen's looks quite endearing! 

I do prefer the "Clint Eastwood" version. A smiling Magnus Carlsen is unsettling.

No resemblance in the facial expression?

Thanks for the posts and photos.

Trysts: I also like Anand, from what I've read he has created a lot of new interest in Chess in India and elsewhere in Asia. Carlsen is quite young and he might bring in younger fans, I've seen threads here asking why is Chess dying ( in the Western World ? ). Perhaps it's time for a switch to a youth movement ? 

carlsen looks like this Indian cricketer, give him some credentials,, Mc fans viva

Perhaps you're right. I just don't know how popular a game so difficult to understand can be? I kind of like that in the western world chess is an esoteric endeavor. I've never been one to follow the crowd

Thanks for the new posts.

 Well of course there will not be any big changes before November and Anand will not just give up his title. There should be some interesting games when these two players meet.

that's a picture of professional tennis players, not cricket players....

I think that deep line across the bridge of his nose in those serious pics is hurting him.  I wonder if he got that from too much deep thought at the board?

Seriously, Carlsen reminds me of several famous people in one.  He is not a lookalike for any one of them, but I have seen pics of him that--to me--bring up images of a young Mark Wahlberg, a young Morrissey, and even a young George Michael.  I don't mean to put a homosexual slant on this with any of the choices in this list--it simply is what it is.  Each of those guys is known for good looks in youth, anyway, so I suppose it's more flattery than anything.

I find that the older I get, the more every new face reminds me of other faces from the past.  It isn't always a face that triggers these connections, either: sometimes it's mannerisms or hair texture or a rare emotion conveyed in a peculiar smile.  The George Michael aspect here may simply be Carlsen's unshaven look in the serious pics.

I like Carlsen too.. however I don't believe he performed half of what he could this tournament.. I think the long tournament + the pressure of being the best got to him a bit.. but I am glad he made it!

There is currently a shortage of funding for chess Tounaments. Why is this? Because sponsers are not seeing any return on their investment. If this continues, where will funding come from for future chess tournaments? Lack of funding is the reason why formats have been changed to shorter matches, or why the WCC is only 12 games, or why venues cannot be found to hold big Tournaments.

Of the two possible Candidates that could have come out of the "Candidates 2013", Kramnik represented "the old school establishment". While Carlsen was "the face of the future". Two different styles and two different possible "financial markets". One dying and the other with growth potential. I am glad that Carlsen won...and although I really like Anand, Carlsen becoming the WCC might be the financial shot in the arm that chess needs to get the attention of sponsers/investors to invest in a sport where the top gun has a growing market with the possible attraction of "the young profile". Think about the "Tiger Woods Effect", or the "Lance Armstrong Effect". Gulf and Cycling saw a tidal wave of interest, followers, funding, investing, increase in prize money, growth in demand etc. Carlsen can become the face that encourages new investment and growth in chess, and while no one expects chess to become as popular as gulf or cycling (for obvious reasons), one would expect that a bigger slice of the financial pie going to chess can only be a good thing.

The only problem with this is the current state of the world economies. Financial Markets are down, Europe is in a Financial Crisis, Banks are on the edge, Debt Crisis is the norm, The US Economy has taken a nose dive...and with it, pulled other economies along for the ride etc. 

So even if Carlsen becomes the new WCC, the wave might not be there or as great as one might expect. Nevertheless, I think the game of chess is better off with Magnus Carlsen...than without.

I look forward to "The Carlsen Effect"....

Carlsen is better looking in real life than in photo's, definitely easier on the eye than most other chess players!

Why so much hate on carlsen? I just love the way he play chess. 

Anand Vs Carlsen fight is a very exciting fight to look for... I just love the two fighters. Let us cheer for the both of them.