Kasparov II

After four rounds, GM Magnus Carlsen of Norway has piled up 3.5 points with no other than World No.1 GM Veselin Topalov included in the list of victims in the 2nd Pearl Spring tournament in Nanjing, China.

With his early impressive performance, some are hinting of a GM Garry Kasparov II. Notably, Carlsen used Kasparov's pet opening Sicilian Najdorf against GM Jakovenko in Round 4, which he convincingly won.

Most probably, Kasparov's services have immediate impact on the level of confidence of the young Carlsen.

Who wouldn't be confident if it's the legendary - and arguably the best chess player who ever lived on the-now-dying-planet earth - chess icon who is on your side?

The mere presence of Kasparov could have already boosted the confidence of the Norwegian teener. We are no yet talking here of actual lessons over the board.

As an allusion to an spiritual wisdom, "If Kasparov is with you, who can be against you?"

If a month or two has already boosted Carlsen's level of play, imagine what a year or two can do?