Carlsen Brushes Off Kasparov Comparisons: Focus on Present, Not Legacy

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World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen is celebrating his 20th title across formats, solidifying his position as the world's top-ranked chess player. His recent victories in the World Rapid and Blitz championships in Doha were a testament to his skill and dominance. In a press conference, Carlsen downplayed comparisons with chess legend Garry Kasparov, saying he's more focused on the present moment. 'I'd rather enjoy this title than get drawn into the debate,' he stated. 'Gary Kasparov has had an incredible career, and I'm not concerned with what others think.' The two chess greats faced off in 2020, resulting in a 55-move draw. Kasparov had previously mentored Carlsen and has spoken highly of him, calling him the strongest player in the current generation. However, Kasparov recently compared Carlsen to Indian chess prodigy D Gukesh, saying that while Gukesh's World Championship title was impressive, Carlsen's dominance is unparalleled. 'Magnus has ended the era of classical world champions,' Kasparov said. 'Gukesh is yet to prove his superiority over others, even in his age category.' Carlsen's focus on the present is clear, and he's already looking forward to the next challenge. 'The rules are the rules, and the games are the games,' he said. 'I'm excited to see what the Candidates tournament and the next world championship match have in store.' With 20 titles under his belt, Carlsen is undoubtedly one of the greatest chess players of all time.