Magnus: The undisputed emperor of Freestyle chess

The world No. 1 Norwegian made history winning the Grenke Freestyle Open with perfect 9/9

- Susan Ninan

BENGALURU: Vincent Keymer twirled a captured white pawn between his fingers. The 20-year-old German knew it was over. Sitting across from him, Magnus Carlsen surveyed the board, content with his spoils. Keymer resigned, the spectators' arena erupted in applause, and Carlsen was soon swallowed by the crowd of waiting fans.

The world No. 1 Norwegian had made history - winning the Grenke Chess Freestyle Open with a perfect 9/9 score. A performance that will perhaps be spoken of in the same breath as Bobby Fischer's brilliant 11/11 at the 1963-64 US Championships, and might even be seen as one that surpasses it. It's only fitting that Carlsen's flawless win came in the Fischer Random or Chess 960 format - one that was conceived by Fischer as a pushback against the thrust on theory, memorisation and preparation in chess.

"I haven't done this before and I'm not going to be able to do it again, that's for sure," a pleased Carlsen said moments after, "so it's just incredible. Of course, I knew coming in today (Sunday) that there was a chance, but I didn't really believe it until the very end when it was certain. It's just relief and joy...it's the kind of performance that you don't get to experience very often or basically ever."