Kasparov and Carlsen, it has its risks...

[Javier]

GM Carlsen, caricature.

 

You've probably heard the story about Kasparov and Carlsen teaming up together. To what end? well, it's not like if Kasparov would like to see his young pupil become the best player in the world one day, Carlsen has paid a large sum of money to have him as his trainer.

I guess it could be argued that he was going to become the best player in the world sooner or later anyway, although that remains to be seen.

So, Ok, I understand that it is a great opportunity for Carlsen to be so close to the best player that has ever lived and learn lots of stuff, but what exactly are the risks, if any?

I agree that it does look like a "win-win-and even more win!" deal for Carlsen, but here are a couple of thoughts:

 

- Won't Carlsen feel the pressure of not having any excuses now? "this is it, if you don't make it now, you weren't good enough in the first place!" Ok, worth the risk I guess. Should the worse come to the worst, there's no doubt that Carlsen's play has been enriched and he has learned new training techniques, etc. Fine, not enough grounds for an accusation.

 

Ok, how about this:

 

- If he ever wins a World Championship, he'll feel part of the merit was Gary's.

This is a more serious concern. After all, a sense of "realization" is very important in our lives, isn't it? Can you imagine Fischer joining forces with ... I was going to say Karpov, but... with anyone???

Ok, that's an extreme case, I agree, and it is also true that most World Champions have a pretty big team of people helping them, no doubt, but they're usually strong GMs, psychologists, chefs and the ocassional hypnotist , but, honestly, this is different, this is another level...

If Carlsen ever wins, some people will give part of the credit to Kasparov, and that seems unavoidable now...

 

Anyway, that's another interesting topic, what exactly is in it for Kasparov?? just the money? (which apparently is a fair bit). Why not help the armenian team instead?

 

Ok, dumb question, they're good enough already. They normally win the olympiad these days.