You became the world chess champion after a win in November. How did you go about training for the big match? The most important thing to study is opening theory, but I also study the latest trends to try to stay ahead, discovering new schemes and doing tactical exercises. I try to get into a chess mood.

You’re known for standing up and walking away from the board during games. Are you trying to psych out your opponent? No. I just feel that if there is not too much to think about, it’s better to walk around a little bit, maybe get some drinks, some food to get some energy and also to get the blood flowing a little. To a major extent, my moves speak for themselves.

You mean, your opponent can tell if you’re feeling confident? The moves are intimidating enough, so I don’t need any extra tricks to make my opponents fear me.

I know that there has been some controversy about whether you should be considered the best athlete in Norway. To Americans, I think that would be a very strange idea. I don’t know how to translate it. Most people agree that chess is a sport, because in Norwegian the word for “sport” is more about something you compete in. I don’t really think too much about it. I think that chess is chess, and that’s good enough for me.