When you have fun then you're more interested in learning.

I played like a child!

I spend hours playing chess because I find it so much fun. The day it stops being fun is the day I give up.

I started by just sitting by the chessboard exploring things. I didn't even have books at first, and I just played by myself. I learnt a lot from that, and I feel that it is a big reason why I now have a good intuitive understanding of chess.

The Nanjing games are homework by Garry Kasparov and me, [...] Today's game was provided by Garry.

My father, a fine chess player himself, has been a massive influence throughout my life.

I got the travel bug when I was quite young. My parents took me and my sisters out of school and we travelled all over Europe. It was an eye-opening experience and, although I love Norway, I also enjoy visiting new countries. I don't get homesick.