Chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen responds to Mo Salah challenge
By
Will Castle
Will Castle
Norwegian chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen has responded to Mohamed Salah after the Liverpool forward expressed his love for the game.
Salah has developed into one of the best players in world football since signing for Liverpool in the summer of 2017 - but his sporting acumen goes beyond the pitch.
The Egyptian has admitted being 'addicted' to chess, and has dreams of facing Carlsen - who many argue as the GOAT of the chess world.
Carlsen is a five-time World Chess Champion, the reigning four-time World Rapid Chess Champion, the reigning six-time World Blitz Chess Champion, and the reigning Chess World Cup Champion - chess royalty, so to speak.
Salah said: "I play chess, I am addicted to chess. Every day, literally every day.
"I put my name and some numbers so some people they ask, 'Are you Mo Salah'? I say, 'Yes', they don't believe it and say, 'You are lying', I say, 'Yes I'm lying.'
"I'm good, I'm not Magnus [Carlsen] but I'm good. No one has a chance with Magnus.
"Hopefully we play one day. I'm 1400 [ELO rating]."
Carlsen has responded to Salah's comments in a cryptic X post (formerly known simply as a tweet), recognising the winger's desire to face him and potentially accepting the challenge.
It would be the colliding of two very different sporting worlds - and judging by the reaction on social media, it seems many are all for the bout.
Make it happen, Magnus.
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