I can’t count the times I have lagged seemingly hopelessly far behind, and nobody except myself thinks I can win. But I have pulled myself in from desperate [situations]. When you are behind there are two strategies - counter-attack or all men to the defences. I’m good at finding the right balance between those.

You have to choose the move that feels right sometimes; that's what intuition is.

I enjoy hiking and skiing, like most Norwegians. In winter, there will be snow for months on end. In the summer, there are the long evenings to enjoy.

Chess only appeals to quite a small minority. It does not have the cachet of a mainstream popular sport.

I'm not really into rap.

I've never really had a favorite player, past or present.

Some people think that if their opponent plays a beautiful game, it's OK to lose. I don't. You have to be merciless.