From: lexfridman
Magnus Carlsen, the world-renowned chess grandmaster, often shares insights into his daily routines and personal philosophies that contribute significantly to his success on and off the chessboard. Below is a comprehensive overview of the habits and beliefs that shape Carlsen’s life.
Daily Routines
A Typical Day of a Chess Match
On a typical day of a chess match, especially when games are scheduled for the afternoon, Magnus is known to wake up around 11 a.m.
“I’ll probably wake up, uh, pretty late at about 11… I’ll get back, I’ll have a big lunch like usually like a big omelet with a bunch of salad and stuff” [01:21:44]([01:21:44]).
Magnus enjoys taking a walk and often listens to podcasts, allowing him to focus and clear his mind before engaging in a game.
Routine at Tournaments
During chess tournaments, Carlsen places high importance on maintaining a good routine and feeling well physically and mentally. He doesn’t like having too many distractions around him and prefers a small, close-knit support team.
“The things that make me the happiest at tournaments is just having a good routine and, uh, feeling well” [01:21:00]([01:21:00]).
Magnus usually prefers to play his games first, winning them cleanly if possible, to enjoy his time thereafter.
Practice and Training
While Carlsen leads a relaxed approach to daily practice, he consumes chess content naturally. Interestingly, he avoids a highly structured training regimen, instead opting for reading chess books akin to casual reading, drawing inspiration from various historical games.
“I’ve never been that guy at all. Like, I could never force myself to just sit down and work” [01:37:09]([01:37:09]).
This leisurely consumption of chess knowledge fills his day without feeling burdensome or tedious.
Diet and Exercise
Magnus Carlsen approaches his diet strategically around his games and practices. His philosophy is to eat twice a day and avoid heavy meals or sugary foods before matches to maintain consistent energy levels.
“I try not to eat too heavy before the game or in general to avoid sugary stuff” [01:26:14]([01:26:14]).
Carlsen’s exercise habits are equally as dynamic. He enjoys engaging in sports like football and tennis more than traditional workout routines.
“I’ve always kind of done it more for fun than like for a concrete benefit” [01:34:52]([01:34:52]).
Personal Philosophies
Love for the Game
Magnus Carlsen’s philosophy in life and chess is rooted deeply in a genuine love for the game. His engagement with chess is not merely a pursuit of victory but a passion that drives him every day.
“And I just spend all of that time on my own without thinking that it’s work or without thought that I’m doing this to improve my chess.” [02:04:41]([02:04:41]).
Winning vs. Losing
Carlsen expresses a healthy relationship between his love for winning and understanding of loss. He differentiates between the joy of winning tournaments and the anxiety of defending a title.
“Other tournaments, love of winning is a great, great factor” [00:44:31]([00:44:31]).
Finding Meaning and Fun
In reflecting on life, Carlsen surprisingly views life as “meaningless” in a positive, existential way, emphasizing the importance of pursuing what brings joy.
“It’s still a great thing… Just to make not necessarily the most of it but the things that make you happy.” [02:30:42]([02:30:42]).
Embracing the spontaneous and sometimes absurd path of life is a central aspect of Magnus Carlsen’s personal growth and philosophical reflections.
Conclusion
Magnus Carlsen’s daily routines and personal philosophies are a testament to his uncomplicated yet thoughtful approach to life and chess. His balance of relaxation with intense focus, combined with a deep love for his craft, contributes to his extraordinary success and offers a distinct perspective on living a fulfilled life.