I got the travel bug when I was quite young. My parents took me and my sisters out of school and we travelled all over Europe. It was an eye-opening experience and, although I love Norway, I also enjoy visiting new countries. I don't get homesick.
I enjoy hiking and skiing, like most Norwegians. In winter, there will be snow for months on end. In the summer, there are the long evenings to enjoy.
I honestly don't read that much. Obviously I read chess books - in terms of favorites, Kasparov's 'My Great Predecessors' is pretty good.
One of the things that first attracted me to chess is that it brings you into contact with intelligent, civilized people - men of the stature of Garry Kasparov, the former world champion, who was my part-time coach.
I've never been much of a computer guy at least in terms of playing with computers. Actually until I was about 11 I didn't use a computer for preparing for games at all. I was playing a bit online, was using the chess club mainly. Now, obviously, the computer is an important tool for me preparing for my games.
If you want to get to the top, there's always the risk that it will isolate you from other people.
Some people think that if their opponent plays a beautiful game, it's okay to lose. I don't. You have to be merciless.
I get more upset at losing at other things than chess. I always get upset when I lose at Monopoly.
My former coach, Simen Agdestein, used to be the best player in Norway.
I spend hours playing chess because I find it so much fun. The day it stops being fun is the day I give up.
