3-year-old chess whiz from Rizal faces 10 opponents at the same time

At age 3, Magnus Carlsen Roma can do what many adult chess enthusiasts would not dare do: face 10 opponents at the same time.

Magnus, who was named after a Norwegian chess grandmaster, may be only a few months past toddler age, but already he can play chess like a pro, according to Chino Trinidad in his report on Balitanghali on Friday.

The report said the Rizal-based Magnus learned the game before he could read or write.

In the report, Trinidad found Roma could play simultaneous chess with people five times his age as he saw the boy face off with students from San Jose National High School in Rodriguez, Rizal.

Being three, however, Magnus needed time-outs for snacks, Trinidad observed.

Magnus’ parents are both chess players and saw the boy’s potential at a young age.

"Noong isinilang kasi po siya, ano, nakita ko po yung guhit ng palad niya po, parang katulad po ng sa 'min," Magnus’ father Alvin Roma said.

"Kumbaga parehas kaming chess player, yung, kumbaga may mamana’t mamana sa aming dalawa," said Jollibee Roma, Magnus’ mother.

Even Trinidad himself tested Magnus’ prowess and found the young chess whiz has already memorized the game’s moves and countermoves. The boy already has “grandmaster lines,” said his father Alvin.

When asked why he likes to play chess, the boy said, "Kasi para...para matalo ko yung mga [k-]alaban." —Nicole-Anne Lagrimas/KBK, GMA News