Magnus Carlsen is perhaps the best known chess player of the millennium, and one of the finest players of the game in the sport’s history.

He is a five-time World Chess Champion, and a four-time World Rapid Chess Champion, and six-time World Blitz Chess Champion.

He is the No. 1 ranked player since 2011, behind only Garry Kasparov as the player to stay top of the rankings for the longest period.

His rating peak of 2882 is currently the highest in history.

Here's everything you need to know about his achievements so far.

Magnus Carlsen’s Championships

How many Chess World Championships has Magnus Carlsen won?

As champion, Carlsen is periodically required to defend the championship against challengers, and after winning it initially in 2013, he defended his title in 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2021. When asked to make another defence, in 2023 against Ian Nepomniachtchi, he elected to relinquish the title.

He was thus champion between 2013 and 2023.

How many World Rapid Chess Championships has Magnus Carlsen won?

He has won the championships four times.

Years: 2014, 2015, 2019, 2022

How many World Blitz Chess Championships has Magnus Carlsen won?

He has won the championships six times.

Years: 2019, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022

When did Magnus Carlsen start playing chess?

Carlsen's father taught him to play chess when he was five.

He took part in his first competition - the youngest division of the 1999 Norwegian Chess Championship - at eight years old.

Where is Magnus Carlsen from?

Carlsen was born in Tønsberg, Norway, on 30 November 1990.

His family spent one year in Espoo, Finland, and then in Brussels, Belgium, before returning to Norway in 1998, where they lived in Lommedalen, Bærum. They then lived in Haslum.

How old is Magnus Carlsen?

Carlsen was born on November 30, 1990.