Andrey Esipenko: “Carlsen is like Messi”

Russian grandmaster Andrey Esipenko commented on the level of play of the current world champion in classical chess, rapid and blitz – Magnus Carlsen.

“Now and for many years Magnus is the best chess player on the planet with a reserve. The recent Rapid and Blitz World Championships confirmed this. I think Carlsen is like Messi, only there is no Ronaldo in chess who could compete with him for many years. Someone is in good shape for a year or two, but Magnus has been holding this level for many years. As for me, I don’t want to seem immodest, but in official tournaments I won against him three times, and always playing with him was a huge challenge,” – said Esipenko.

Recall, that at the end of December Magnus Carlsen won the Rapid and blitz World Championships, which were held in Almaty (Kazakhstan).