My former coach, Simen Agdestein, used to be the best player in Norway.

I learnt an enormous amount, but there came a point where I found there was too much stress. It was no fun any more. Outside of the chessboard I avoid conflict, so I thought this wasn't worth it.

I am not some sort of freak. I might be very good at chess but I'm just a normal person.

I'm definitely the first no.1 in the world since Fischer, and probably at least since Kasparov, who probably has the most potential to dominate for the foreseeable future.

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

For me, the most important thing is to continue to play well and to be a positive figure and hopefully a role model for kids as well.

I don't consider myself a particularly young chess player. I have been playing in the best tournaments in the world since I was 16 years old. In other sports, if you have been playing for seven years, you are not a young prodigy any more. You're one of the pros.