Between August 19th and 30th Magnus Carlsen and his manager Espen Agdestein spent a long week in New York. Carlsen was at the Chess NYC's Summer Camp for some days, where he played and trained with kids of different strength, and later he met with several interesting figures, including Ken Rogoff and George Soros. Here's big pictorial report. 

Carlsen and Agdestein arrived in New York City on August 19th. As was agreed almost a year ago, Magnus would spend five days at the Chess NYC Summer Camp to play and train with their kids. Chess NYC is an organization that promotes chess in New York City, running tournaments, offering lessons, and developing merchandise that represents their vision.

As Agdestein told us via Skype, Magnus liked the idea to work with kids. He never did it before in an organized manner. Besides, he enjoys New York a lot and has lots of friends and relations there now.

The event was attended by several hundreds of kids and lots of parents, who were all very excited to meet the world's highest rated player. There were different sessions with Magnus because everyone was divided in seven groups of different level. The session with the youngest children (from about 7 years old) was mostly about inspiration, taking pictures and getting to talk with Magnus, but the stronger groups actually did serious training where Magnus showed some of his games. There were also blitz sessions and simuls.

Carlsen's visit to New York was announced in the August issue of Chess Life...

...and special banners had been created and put up

...which would later form the background for games like this one. Who's the prodigy?

How can you not feel at home here?

Teaching the youngest kids some good opening moves...

...about the center, the long range of the bishops...

...have them play out some positions...

...and demonstrate a thing or two at the demo board

On another day the teacher was wearing a proper shirt

There were also sessions with a laptop...

...during lessons for older and stronger kids

One of the more serious sessions, surely highly instructive

A simul against the Number One

Obviously some blitz had to be played as well!

Naturally kibitzing was allowed

That king position looks scary, even on such a colorful board

Irinia Krush also attened the event and played a few games with Magnus

Ehm... I'm playing Magnus Carlsen... what do I play?

The "fast play" system

Lots of pics were taken...

...and signatures signed

A group photo to end with

There was also an "adults night"  for parents and other enthusiasts, which included a simul