by Carlsen

I played like a child.  -   (13 year old Magnus after a loss in the second game of a two game rapid chess match with Kasparov - after drawing the first game)

It's easy to get obsessed with chess. That's what happened with Fischer and Paul Morphy. I don't have that same obsession.  -  (as interviewed in Time magazine)

I am not some sort of freak. I might be very good at chess but I'm just a normal person.

I am trying to beat the guy sitting across from me and trying to choose the moves that are most unpleasant for him and his style.

I get more upset at losing at other things than chess. I always get upset when I lose at Monopoly.

He has an extreme capacity for work, extreme determination to win and extreme perfectionism.  -  (on Kasparov)

on Carlsen

This is real talent.  -  Alexander Nikitin

Magnus has a strong fighting spirit and only starts complications when he can control them.  -  Carsten Muller

With so many victories coming relatively easily to his immense talent and fighting spirit, the final crucial ingredient of relentless work will guarantee his place in history.  -  Garry Kasparov

You could say that both Fischer and Carlsen had or have the ability to let chess look simple.  -  Viswanathan Anand