Former World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen has officially found his queen, tying the knot with girlfriend Ella Victoria Malone in a picturesque winter ceremony in Oslo.

In her first exclusive interview with Chess.com, Ella Victoria Carlsen opened up about her relationship with GM Carlsen, her new role, and their shared journey together.

The 26-year-old, born in Hong Kong to a Norwegian mother and an American father, has led a truly international life. Growing up primarily in Singapore, where she is a permanent resident, her education spanned the U.K., the U.S., and Canada. She also spent four to five years of her childhood in Norway.

Like millions of others, her interest in chess was sparked by the Netflix hit series The Queen's Gambit in 2020. Reflecting on the experience, she shared, “I was curious whether the series was based on a true story. I expected to find some incredible woman as the world’s best, and it turned out to be Magnus! I remember thinking, ‘Ah, he’s Norwegian!’ And that was that.”

“He was really sweet when we first met. He was very shy and nervous. It was very endearing. He is incredibly intelligent. He remembered my birthday immediately, which really flattered me. But it turns out he has a really good memory, so I am not sure! He remembers everyone's birthday!”

She also admits his realistic character, saying, "He is a breath of fresh air. I don't think a lot of people know that. He’s just so authentic and unapologetically himself, and he inspires me, and I love that about him!”

Despite his packed schedule, the world number one shows no signs of stepping back from online chess. A testament to his passion was evident when he played seven blitz games against GM Daniel Naroditsky on Chess.com—at 4 a.m. on his wedding night.

"I would love to take the credit, but I think it's a mix of things. He's really into golf now. These chess players are kind of in their own worlds because they are always thinking about chess. When he golfs, I think it really gives him some time off from that constant chess thought and thinking about chess. Those breaks in his life really help him relax.”

Carlsen has previously expressed his desire to settle down and start a family, a sentiment echoed by Ella Victoria, who confirms, “As soon as time allows. He has a busy schedule. I am not sure how we are going to manage the travelling with kids, but it's definitely something we both want," adding, "He is going to be an amazing father!”

Carlsen's wife and secretary hints that 2025 will be a whirlwind year, leaving little time for the couple to settle down just yet.