Say what you want about Magnus ...

The guy plays a lot of good Chess!
On the "rest day" at Tata Steel he played two online tournaments.
4 Games in the Pro Chess League (4-0) and
Crushing the field in the 2nd Lichess Titled Arena !

For a 2nd time, he has donated the prize money to the next event.

The guy has a few faults, like everyone of us do. However, he is placing himself up front, promoting chess by public appearances, by accepting all challenges, seemingly 24/7 with no time out. He is playing older, discarded openings, injecting new flavor and originality to the game. Just today, what many considered a blunder after losing a piece, he went on to win vs a GM by playing out complicated positions.

I started this thread because I'm really starting to admire the man, his devotion and hard work. I was somewhat a little put off by his personality awhile back. We do not know him personally, the media attention he has to deal with, leading his personal life and the truly remarkable devotion he is giving to the chess community all but make up for any idiosyncrasies. It would be an honor to meet the gentleman.

Agree!

Yes , a good comment.

This guy [Magnus Carlsen] just finds too much time to make us laugh with his usernames :P

He has the personality of a potato. I actually think he could and should be doing a lot more to promote chess. Participating in online tournaments doesn't require much effort. You can do it in your underwear.
Let's not get carried away here with our praise.

Maybe go to mainstream YouTube and promote Chess there? :P

What I like the most is that Magnus is showing us, the chess community, is that chess is a game between two players. All this recent "Stockfish" craze, engine analysis has distracted us all from what chess is truly about. He often laughs at SF's evaluations, realizing it is only a "machine". No doubt he uses the engines as blunder checks, calculating long lines. However, he has repeatedly demonstrated, SF gives his position as a minus, but goes on to win games vs. humans.

Regarding the comment, "the personality of a potato" and "could do it in his underwear" is exactly what I was referring to. We do not know him personally. Such comments are clearly mocking in nature with no merit.
Besides all the chess and public appearances, we often see pictures of his football and basketball play in his time off. The guy is going 24/7. I don't judge anyone by their personality, especially when I can only see an "image".

To Timid. I'm not praising him for his personality, but for his accomplishments. You are judged by your deeds. His promotion of chess, the daily public appearances, does more for chess in an hours time that you will ever do in a lifetime. Your post "online tournaments don't require any effort, can be done in your underwear" displays a total lack of respect for the World Champion and an utter lack of any sensibilities.

Does Carlsen have a rep for being a poor sport like Nakamura does? I've not heard anything about that, but I admit I don't pay too much attention to that kind of thing.

I only pay attention to how the players play.

In the heat of battle, Carlsen a long time back, was questioned on a possible ethical violation. Some forever want to bring up a one time event that was disputed. Recently, Naka has made a concerted attempt to reverse his "bad boy" image and is doing a rather good job of it. Like John McEnroe or Andre Aggasi, images, with a lot of work can be reversed.

But to answer, No. He has always demonstrated impeccable behavior when games are questioned by opponents or arbitrators. Just look at the last example vs. Inarkiev.. He accepted the verdict of a lose, and only appealed after other players told him the arbitrator was wrong.

In online events, when the result of an event is clear, Carlsen often offers draws in winning games, forgoing rating points.