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

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 don't think there is a thing like overconfidence in chess. It's always better to be too confident than too reluctant.

You need to have that edge, you need to have that confidence, you need to have that absolute belief that you're - you're the best and you'll win every time.

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.

I've never been much of a computer guy at least in terms of playing with computers. Actually until I was about 11 I didn't use a computer for preparing for games at all. Now, obviously, the computer is an important tool for me preparing for my games. I analyze when I'm on the computer, either my games or my opponents. But mostly my own.

It's just not my nature to go around idolizing people.