Magnus Carlsen stays at FC St. Pauli: A chess miracle in Hamburg!

Magnus Carlsen stays at FC St. Pauli: A chess miracle in Hamburg!

Magnus Carlsen is returning to the Bundesliga and extending his contract with FC St. Pauli. The world's best chess player is enthusiastic about his connection to the traditional club from Hamburg, whose colors he has worn since January. Last season, St. Pauli finished twelfth in the Bundesliga and took its first steps with the impressive newcomer. While Carlsen played two of 14 team matches in the first season, the response from fans and club members remained overwhelming, as the MOPO reported.

In the new year, the chess master, who last played for OSG Baden-Baden on December 14, 2008, will be supported by Hamburg entrepreneur Jan Henric Büttner. Büttner, promoting the long-term vision for the club, initiated a Grand Prix series in so-called “freestyle chess” to make chess more popular in Germany. Carlsen will play for St. Pauli on several match days in the 2024/25 season, with a highlight being the chess tournament on the 22nd/23rd. March 2025 will be at the Millerntor Stadium, where a special chess event is also planned.

Carlsen's return to the Bundesliga

Carlsen returns to the Chess Bundesliga after 15 years and brings a breath of fresh air to the league. His current record in the Bundesliga is 1.5 points from four games. In one of the first games for St. Pauli he scored a debut win against Solingen (5.5:2.5), before agreeing to a draw after 35 moves in another game against Wei Yi. Despite a narrow 3.5:4.5 against Düsseldorfer SK, the club is now in eleventh place out of 15 and has therefore left the relegation zone, reports Chess Bundesliga.

The founding of the “Weissenhaus Chess Academy” should also be mentioned as supporting Carlsen’s commitment. This academy has the clear goal of promoting German talent and developing the great potential of young chess players. As part of the collaboration, the visibility of Büttner's five-star resort Weissenhaus will be ensured in the context of the Bundesliga. This includes, among other things, presence in live streams and media channels of FC St. Pauli. Chess department head Thomas Schüttler is positive about the future and reiterates his desire to gain a long-term foothold in the Bundesliga.

A star in a jersey

Carlsen is more than just a player; He proudly wears the FC St. Pauli club logo on his gray hoodie, combined with jeans and white sneakers. This casual attire has brought him into discussion both in the chess world and among his opponents in the past. Carlsen has had to battle criticism about his appearance on big stages in the past, but that doesn't seem to bother him. Even though his opponent Wei Yi appeared in shabby sweatpants, Carlsen remains focused on his goals.

Overall, it shows that Magnus Carlsen's commitment to FC St. Pauli not only inspires the club, but also the entire chess community. Most recently, the chess hero emphasized how happy he is to be part of this extraordinary brand. Looking ahead to the upcoming season, which begins at the end of September 2025, chess fans are hoping for exciting encounters and a difficult but exciting year for the Chess Bundesliga.