Klay Thompson is so obsessed with chess, he consulted with a Norwegian grandmaster

Golden State Warriors' Klay Thompson attends San Francisco Giants' game against Colorado Rockies at AT&T Park in San Francisco, CA on Thursday, May 17, 2018. Golden State Warriors' Klay Thompson attends San Francisco Giants' game against Colorado Rockies at AT&T Park in San Francisco, CA on Thursday, May 17, 2018. Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 25 Caption Close Klay Thompson is so obsessed with chess, he consulted with a Norwegian grandmaster 1 / 25 Back to Gallery

Add another layer to the mystique surrounding Klay Alexander Thompson.

The Most Interesting Man on the Warriors is, as it turns out, a chess fanatic. He's so obsessed with the game that he recently consulted with the world's No. 1 chess player to get some tips on how to beat teammate Andre Iguodala.

The Warriors, who have a number of chess aficionados among both players and coaches, invited Norwegian grandmaster Magnus Carlsen out to see a Western Conference finals game. Thompson approached him, reported the Wall Street Journal, and introduced himself as the best chess player on the team.

"Based on loose facts," Thompson said, "but whatever."

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The Journal story details how Thompson became enamored with the cerebral game. As a seventh grader at Riverdale Grade School in Portland, Ore., he decided to take the chess class elective "just to waste time."

"And then I realized, wow, this is actually really fun," Thompson said. "Just for an hour, to be with your friends, hang out and play chess. It was probably the best class I've ever had."

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It's now more than a casual hobby for Thompson. He owns multiple chess boards, brings a magnetic version on road trips and plays several phone games, which he likes less because it's harder to stay focused. He's constantly playing with friends and teammates — and usually winning.

But ever the competitor, Thompson is hoping to even learn more from Carlsen, who became a grandmaster at the age of 13.

"He said he'd sit down and teach me some things one day," Thompson said.

His ability to stay two steps ahead is an asset on the court, no doubt, and it may come in handy soon with contract negotiations. Thompson has one year left on his Warriors contract, and he's keen to work out a deal to stay with the team, according to his father Mychal.

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"Klay definitely wants to play his whole career at Golden State and in the Bay Area," he said on Tuesday's Damon Bruce Show. "There's no question about that. He loves it up there. He loves the fans.

"Let's just say the negotiations will probably continue in the summer of '19."