Sawt Falasteen - Chess legend Carlsen backs Norway to go far at World Cup

The highest ranked chess player of all time is in Hong Kong this week to play in the World Rapid and Blitz Team Chess Championships beginning Wednesday.

But the Norwegian and devoted football fan will push his preparation for the tournament to one side to keep a close eye on the World Cup, despite the time difference from North America meaning some matches will kick off in the early hours.

Norway, back in the World Cup for the first time since 1998, begin their group campaign against Iraq at 6:00 am Hong Kong time on Wednesday (2200 GMT Tuesday).

Despite the early hour, Carlsen will be tuning in to watch his countrymen -- spearheaded by talismanic attacker Erling Haaland, who loves a game of chess when not banging in goals.

"I will be up early anyway, so I will 100 percent watch the game live," Carlsen told AFP.

Football follower Carlsen did not think the World Cup would be too distracting when his WR Team defend their world blitz crown this week and look to add the world rapid title.

"At this point I don't really wake up or stay up for World Cup games. But, when it's Norway (I do) 100 percent," added the five-time world champion, who is a huge fan of Real Madrid.

Football and chess have become surprise bedfellows in recent months, with many players at the World Cup taking to the ancient board game in their spare time.

Norway goalscorer Haaland has recently invested in a ground-breaking new chess tour.

Egypt forward Mo Salah said he was "addicted" to the game, while Norway midfielder Martin Odegaard and England striker Eberechi Eze are keen players, with the latter winning an amateur tournament in 2025.

- Chess, football crossover -

The games are more similar than people might think, said Carlsen.

"Strategy, chess and football, it's not that different really," he said.

"It's about trying to control certain areas. Of course, football is a much more dynamic game and there are certain random elements that may come in.

"But the core principles are the same -- like being able to switch from one side to another, like often overloading and then switching the play, probing certain areas and controlling the middle.

"Certain teams, like Arsenal, they like to have as little left to chance as possible and to have their gameplay resemble a game of chess.

"As much as I don't like watching that team, I can appreciate the thought behind it."

Carlsen has high hopes for Norway after they dominated a World Cup qualifying group containing Italy by winning all eight games to reach the finals for the first time in 28 years.

Haaland bagged 16 of free-scoring Norway's 37 goals in their qualifying campaign, with many created by the midfield driven by Odegaard.

Carlsen expects the goals to keep flowing from the chess-loving Norwegians.

"First of all, we will hammer Iraq in the first game and then we'll pretty much be through after that," Carlsen predicted.

Norway then face potentially tougher Group I games against Senegal and France, but the chess grandmaster expects them to reach the knockout phase.

- 'Slight underdogs' -

"My current prediction is that we will make it to the round of 16 and, from there on, it's probably we're going to be slight underdogs," he said.

Carlsen said it would be fascinating to measure Norway's form against the world's best at the global showpiece.

"I think it's very hard to say, to be honest," said Carlsen of what to expect from manager Stale Solbakken's squad.

"I think there's a very clear first tier of a few teams," said Carlsen.

"And then I'm not sure whether Norway is kind of towards the bottom side of that second tier or we're in the third tier.

"But I think the quarter-finals are a somewhat realistic goal and, you know, once you get there, anything can happen."

W.Mansour--SF-PST