Magnus Carlsen's aura looms large in Norway as locals call him unbeatable

Whether it is a young father helping his son move giant chess pieces inside one of Norway's historic libraries, or a hotel receptionist speaking with unwavering certainty, one name defines this country's sporting identity: Magnus Carlsen.

For Norwegians, there is no debate. If anyone can win the prestigious Norway Chess on home soil, it is Carlsen -- and only Carlsen.

Though Europe is gripped by football fever ahead of the UEFA Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal, the Scandinavian capital remains under the spell of its own sporting icon.

In a country consumed by football conversations, Carlsen's aura still towers above all else.

Years after conquering the chess world, his popularity here remains undiminished with many in Norway continuing to believe that on home turf, he is simply unbeatable.

''You cannot beat Carlsen in his home. That's unthinkable,'' said one of the receptionists at the Scandic hotel in the heart of Oslo, summing up the near-universal sentiment in Norway for Carlsen.

Even Kjell Madland, the founder and CEO of Norway Chess, understands better than most how deeply the tournament's identity is intertwined with Carlsen. Built around the aura and brilliance of the world No. 1, Carlsen -- a seven-time Norway Chess champion -- remains the tournament's biggest attraction, his presence impossible to overstate.

So when Carlsen hinted last year that he was gradually moving away from classical chess and may not feature in the 2026 edition of Norway Chess, it sent ripples across the chess world and especially through Norway.

For the Norwegians, however, there is relief and excitement in equal measure. Their legend is back for the tournament and that, more than anything else, is what matters to them.

''Of course, it's a huge thing that Norway has a player like Magnus,'' said Madland.

''It's not easy to understand his impact. And of course, replacing him is not going to be easy,'' he added matter-of-factly.

From his trademark walking gait to his hairstyle and even his casual fashion sense, almost everything associated with Carlsen has, in some way, become part of popular culture in Norway.

Such is the influence of the 35-year-old that many here can scarcely imagine what the chess landscape would look like once he moves past his prime.

Madland, though, does not want to dwell on the day when Carlsen will no longer be a part of the iconic Norway Chess.

''Of course, we hope there will be new talents coming through,'' he said.

''In many of our tournaments, we already have other Norwegian players competing, and we hope new faces will emerge.''.

But for now, Norway is in no rush to think beyond its greatest chess icon.

''First of all,'' Madland added with a smile, ''we hope Magnus will continue playing for many, many years.''.

That sentiment was echoed even at the Deichman Bjørvika Public Library, where this year's Norway Chess tournament gets underway on Monday. As a young boy struggled to lift a giant white pawn on the oversized chessboard installed inside the library, his father reflected on Carlsen's place in Norwegian society.

''I suppose his popularity has diminished somewhat because he has made winning a habit,'' he said.

''But years ago, when he started winning world titles for the first time, he was probably even more popular because it was all new.''.

Then, looking at his son battling with the oversized chess piece, he smiled, and said, ''But I would say my son, just like Carlsen, hates to lose.'' Perhaps nothing captures Carlsen's aura better than that -- a relentless obsession with winning that has inspired an entire generation of young Norwegians to fall in love with chess.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)