Magnus Carlsen and wife Ella welcome first child as fans joke about future chess Grandmaster

World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen and his wife Ella have announced the arrival of their first child, prompting fans to speculate light-heartedly about whether the newborn will one day follow in his footsteps as a chess prodigy.

On September 30, Ella Carlsen shared an Instagram story showing Magnus asleep beside their baby, with the caption displaying the date September 27 2025.

Although the couple did not confirm the baby’s gender, Ella added a blue heart emoji over the child’s face, a symbol often associated with boys at birth.

The couple had previously revealed they were expecting, but this marks the first public glimpse of their new family member. News of the baby’s arrival quickly spread across social media and chess forums, where congratulations were mixed with playful predictions about the child’s future in the game.

Comments on Chess.com and Carlsen’s X account included messages such as “Another chess prodigy has arrived” and “Kid’s gonna become a GM before Levy,” in reference to YouTuber GothamChess. Others joked that Twitch streamer and Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura had “a new rival.”

Fans also referred to the baby as a future “GOAT,” echoing Carlsen’s reputation as one of the greatest chess players of all time. Carlsen, who has dominated the chess world for over a decade, is currently associated with Team Liquid in esports, as well as his traditional chess career.

For now, attention is turned to Carlsen’s new role as a parent.