Chess is a game that requires you to calculate, analyse and to evaluate the positions that you face in a game against your opponent. Each of these things takes a great deal of time to master. And to do these things with exceptional ease – seeing 20 moves ahead with computer-like precision -  is an incredible talent.

You might be mistaken in thinking that I’m referring to one of the great world champions of the past like Lasker or Capablanca or the more contemporary champions like  Fischer or Kasparov.

As a matter of fact, I’m not referring to a world champion.

I’m referring to GM Magnus Carlsen – the 19 year old prodigy who became the youngest world no.1 in history at the beginning of this year.

Ever since September 2009, Carlsen has been mentored by the greatest player of our time, Garry Kasparov, and the great mentor comments that Carlsen has a “deep intuitive sense no computer can teach” and “has a natural feel for where to place the pieces.”

Kasparov’s protege can also sense and realise the potential energy in each move he makes – even though a computer may not be able to compute the move’s ultimate effect.

Even Carlsen’s flawless moves go unnoticed by GM commentators and it’s not until they analyse what Carlsen has done when they realise their lack of judgement.

But this is, of course, understandable. Carlsen was a child prodigy,  becoming a grandmaster at age of 13 and then only 6 years later, to become the best in the world.

And Carlsen, like all great world champions, doesn’t lack the ability to calculate far ahead (once again, the importance of tactics and calculation). Carlsen can play blindfold, simultaneous exhibitions AND can accurately calculate 20 moves ahead at the same time.

Although Carlsen is destined to become a world champion some day, we shouldn’t be too put off by his incredible talents. Rather, we should inspire to be like him – to be able to ‘feel’ the right moves – because it’ll make sure that we don’t have to calculate too much, play good chess and of course, earn more wins.