There are certainly loads of players that I admire; I try to learn from all of the great masters both of the past and contemporary as well.

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.

Self-confidence is very important. If you don't think you can win, you will take cowardly decisions in the crucial moments, out of sheer respect for your opponent. You see the opportunity but also greater limitations than you should. I have always believed in what I do on the chessboard, even when I had no objective reason to. It is better to overestimate your prospects than underestimate them.

I'm not really into rap.

It's nice to be financially secure. Apart from that, I really don't care too much about money.

I don't really watch too many movies. I don't have the patience usually to watch one, one and a half or two hours in a row.

There wasn't any particular player I modeled my game after. I tried to learn from everyone and create my own style. I studied past players... Truth be told I never had a favorite player. It's just not my nature to go around idolizing people. I just go try to learn.