"BLUNDERS"- Nov.24 - TOPIC # 2: The Weight of Expectations!

Pardon Our Blunders Show Review: Nov. 24, 2010

   Welcome to the weekly review of Pardon Our Blunders. Every week our Hosts cover varied topics—all chess-related. As regular viewers know, their coverage normally leads to some very interesting and entertaining banter.  Here’s a rundown of this week’s Topic #2:

The weight of expectations: During the world blitz, Magnus was in second place most of the event, and fans were asking in chat “what is wrong with Magnus?” Are such expectations going to hurt Magnus?

   Magnus’ expectations of himself have always been high. He wants to perform 2800-2900 every time he sits down at the chessboard. Mag-Town is harder on himself than anyone around him. Is Magnus’ candle burning down to the base a little quicker now? Is he 19 years old and already considered “over the hill?” He is just that—19—and we tend to forget he is still a kid in the chess world. He has, in my opinion, the best years ahead of him and a definite World Championship, even though he dropped out of the current WCC Cycle, being replaced by Grischuk. The only one that is going to hurt Magnus, is Magnus, and no one else. What do you see as being Magnus’ future? Early retirement? Or a tenure at the top of the Chess World BOTH being Ranked #1 and World Champion?? Do you think he will ever break his former coach’s top rating of 2851? (We all know who is former coach is…right?) Give us your thoughts and opinions on this. Is all this pressure hurting the great Mag-Town??