– I’m starting to get reasonably boiled in the top ass. I know there’s not much oxygen to be had in there, so to speak, said Magnus Carlsen to news midway through the opening day of the Blitz Chess Championship. As if 12 games in one day weren’t enough, things apparently got hot for Norway’s biggest chess players on Thursday. Many felt the intense heat in Kazakhstan, including news’s team present inside the “Baluan Sholak sports palace” in Almaty. – It’s getting a little warm? – Yes, it’s getting very, very hot. So there are tough playing conditions now. But we’ll see, it’s the same for everyone, replies Carlsen. Carlsen ended the first day of play with a draw in the last five games and stands with nine points. He is thus one point behind leader Hikaru Nakamura. Carlsen’s day started in dramatic fashion when he arrived late for the first game: – Not easy Earlier in the championship the temperature in the arena was lower, but during the opening day of the Blitz Chess World Cup the heaters are said to have been turned up. Press manager at Fide, David Llada, believes several players have pointed out that the temperature has been too low in the past. – It is not easy to accommodate everyone’s preferences, writes Llada in a message to news. That impression is not shared by several Norwegian chess profiles, who have also reacted to the heat – The air in the players’ room is very bad now. You notice that you are sweating profusely from the heat. It was much better yesterday actually, I don’t know what’s wrong with the air, says Aryan Tari to news. – I don’t really know, I’m reasonably well cooked in the top lid anyway. But I don’t think the indoor climate is the best here, no. When you play lightning you get extremely heated, but it is definitely a little worse today than it was yesterday, Benjamin Haldorsen tells news. KOKT: Johan-Sebastian Christiansen felt the heat in Almaty. Photo: news – Yes, no, at first I thought it was because I was so angry because it was so bad, but when more people say that, I notice it, because the other days the air has been good, but it is boiling hot now. But no apology, that is, from my side, Johan-Sebastian Christiansen points out to news. Tok grep Llada further writes that FIDE events are usually regulated to 21-22 degrees – with adjustments depending on the size of the gaming hall and how many people are in it. He nevertheless adds that they have now taken action. – We have adjusted it (the temperature) twice now. CHANGES MADE: Llada says he listened to players and lowered the temperature. Photo: CHRISTIAN KRAKENES / CHRISTIAN KRAKENES After Fide had been informed, one could clearly feel that the temperature in the arena became cooler at the end of the day. In the hall, flags were also seen waving after the “air conditioning” level was turned up. It is said to be a great pleasure for Carlsen, who looked impressed after the big match against Hikaru Nakamura. By then, the 32-year-old had played eight games. – Ugh. It’s slowly going up the top now. Especially against Nakamura. I knew I was a little better in the opening, but it was as I said to myself: Any break I can get is good. LONG DAY: Carlsen was tired after a long day, but took the time to watch the other games after the opening day ended. Photo: Christian Grieg Sander / news The Norwegian drew against the American grandmaster. – It’s a good result, so I just hope that I survive the rest of the day with a reasonable score. I have a lot to fight for tomorrow. Before Friday’s final day of play, it is also Nakamura that Carlsen must hunt down. The American leads by one point before the final nine games. – It’s okay. I’ve known, actually since round three, that I’m boiled in the head. I need some rest. Glad to have come through without a loss and I’ll try to come out stronger tomorrow. Goal number one of not breaking anything today seems to be going. Then I have a chance tomorrow. I just have to play a little better, says Carlsen. – I’m not super happy with the game, but given the conditions, it’s all right, he says. – What are you going to do to be rested for tomorrow? – Being rested is one thing, but it is not so easy to play when the air is difficult. It is the same for everyone. I will try to be as rested as possible, but today I felt that it was heavy, says Carlsen.
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