What's so special with Magnus?

I've been watching Freestyle GOAT Challenge 2024, enjoying but can't stop thinking.. why Magnus is the best? I mean.. really.. why? what's different with him? why all other elites can mostly draw but can't beat him for good.

• He has more IQ?
• He has more memory, filled with master games?
• His brain is wired different? (savant)
• He studied harder?
• He has a special talent, like predicting opponent's plans?
• He is a secret government project, has an AI-Brain symbiosis?
• ..
• Idk, he is just.. what.. alien? 

what do you think..

An eidetic memory combined with natural talent and a lot of studying when he was younger.

An eidetic memory combined with natural talent and a lot of studying when he was younger.

a gifted hardworker eh

And a father who worked hard to get him to all the tournaments.

He wins more than others when it counts.

Magnus is slightly better than the other players. Somebody has to be. Let's not demonize the guy.

In his time, Kasparov was much more dominant than Magnus ever was. Not to mention Fischer. Or Capablanca. And especially Morphy.

Absolutely

We're ignoring the most important part, his hair!!

IMO

a : Memory and intelligence (the ability to understand and act well) I don't think that's what makes the difference because a Nepomniachtchi, Ivantchuk etc. also have quite a bit of memory (and memory even without playing chess it can be developed whether by studying, learning a language, making music, a lawyer needs to know legal texts etc.). and the same goes for intelligence (for example a Maxime Vachier-Lagrave is probably less intelligent but that doesn't mean he can't win against Carlsen and Eloi Relange is probably more intelligent but he wouldn't stand much of a chance against Carlsen).

b : The gift (like for ex. people who are gifted or not gifted in language), there are strong GMs like Jorden van Foreest, Matthias Blübaum but don't seem to have a gift for chess, on the other hand, Laurent Fressinet, Alexander Grischuk, Peter Svidler seem to have a gift for chess but Carlsen remains better so it's not really that.

c : if we do the rating of the chesmmaster program (with opponents chosen randomly) apart from the technical and physical aspect there is an important dimension linked to psychology and more precisely self-confidence in chess.

In short I would say it is self-confidence associated with an understanding of the game and weaknesses of humans ( the game Ian v Pragg & Ding v Nodirbek: Clash Of Generations! Can Alireza Bounce Back? | Tata Steel 2024 Rd 6 (youtube.com) Giri vs Maghsoodloo and very telling to understand that strong bots create another reality in chess than strong humans) and the sporting aspect that makes Carlsen above.

Good physical condition and mentally stable.