60 Minutes Overtime

A chess prodigy explains how his mind works

February 2, 2014 / 6:39 PM EST / CBS News

Inside the amazing mind of Magnus Carlsen, the number one chess player in the world

A chess prodigy explains how his mind works 04:31

"That's the most amazing thing I've ever seen." That's what 60 Minutes correspondent Bob Simon had to say after witnessing chess prodigy Magnus Carlsen play 10 opponents simultaneously with his back turned -- and all 10 boards out of sight.

What's his secret? Once an opponent makes a move, Magnus says he instantly knows his own next move, but he often waits 30 minutes or so to physically make that move on the board. Why? Hear Magnus explain his methods in this 60 Minutes Overtime feature, filled with interviews and footage that you didn't see on the 60 Minutes broadcast.

COMMENT:

Do the superhuman feats of Norwegian chess prodigy Magnus Carlsen rival those of chess giants like Bobby Fischer?

Watch Mike Wallace's 1972 profile of Bobby Fischer

Editor's Note: This segment was originally published on Feb. 19, 2012.

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