well, i don't care at all. The guy plays great chess, and that is all i care about. Who cares about looks?
Nobody really cares. But since he models for money as well as plays chess for money, it's a fair inquiry whether his modeling appeal is based on looks or fame, although there's no doubt that without his chess fame, becoming a model would have been far less likely for him.
I had talked about this during the WC with a female friend of mine who does find Carlsen attractive. I feel he looks a bit simian, but not necessarily in an unappealing way. He has a boyish charm and a really great physique. Not all attraction or ideas of handsomness are purely physical. Magnus carries himself like an athlete and projects an aura of self-confidence, a trait, btw, that I personally find irresistible. So, while he isn't attractive in the traditional cookie-cutter celebrity fashion, he does have a certain appeal for many.
Ha! He's one of them damn' pretty apes.
Apes are cute.
Monkeys are cute. Apes are scary
He was a cute kid but as a man... I mean he's not ugly but I don't think he looks like a model either. Looks like your average person to me.
He looks like a Neanderthal, what with that giant flat forehead and all.. but that doesn't matter - He's still a chess genius.
lol
I'm kind of glad someone asked this question... I'm rather confused about the topic myself.
He is certainly better looking than Houdini.
Probably the best looking chess player ever
He is certainly better looking than Houdini.
LOL
He is certainly better looking than Houdini.
LOL
And even moreso than:
From http://magnuscarlsen.com/gallery/
To answer your "question", yes, Magnus Carlsen is very good looking. But more importantly he is the new, young, and fresh face of chess. Apparently he also has a charming personality for the cameras/media.
He seems to have become more brooding as he has gotten older. It seems that he rarely smiles these days. Even his smile seems more sarcastic than happy. When he was kid, on the other hand, he seemed like he was always happy (or pensive). I'm not sure that his facial expression reflects his actual mood, but he does not seem happier despite his great success as a chess player.
I'm not sure that I would characterize Carlsen as "sexy" but I do think that he dresses better than the average chess player -- at least the ones I have seen at chess tournaments in the US. Even the GMs that I have seen to dress slovenly and are sometimes unkempt. Of course, I don't dress particularly well when I play a tournament either. This is in contrast to the photos of the old chess GMs who always wore a nice suit and a tie when playing a tournament.
What exactly is he doing?
It looks like he is challenging a Dragon to "Come here and say that!".
Carlsen has transcended good looking and has occupied a state of pan-sexual appeal.
Pan-sexual? Do you mean dishy?
For sure he is the most good-looking world chess champion .. for womans. As a man i prefer serious badass faces in black and white photography.
Capablanca: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a2/Chess_Fever_Kapablanka.jpg
Lulz what a move, mate in 4 is coming
Lasker: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/78/Emanuel_Lasker.jpg
What are you looking at noob? Wanna get pwned?
Bobby fischer: Interesting variation. Im thinking how i will beat you in the next 30 moves
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bf/Bobby_Fischer_1960_in_Leipzig.jpg
Steinitz: I have an IQ of 200 and my beard is awesome, want to challenge me?
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b2/Wilhelm_Steinitz2.jpg