The reign of Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen in the chess world now includes a significant new chapter—his marriage. The celebrated Norwegian chess champion recently married Ella Victoria Malone in a stunning winter ceremony in Oslo.
The couple exchanged vows at the scenic Holmenkollen Chapel, set amidst Oslo’s snow-covered hills, with close family and friends in attendance. The festivities continued with an opulent reception at the renowned Grand Hotel, a 5-star landmark in the heart of the city.
Congratulations to Magnus and Ella 💍 pic.twitter.com/1N5J2VIb1G
— Chess.com (@chesscom) January 4, 2025
The wedding of Magnus Carlsen brought together an illustrious gathering, including his best men, FM Johannes Kvisla and Chess.com’s Askild Bryn, a Guinness World Record holder. Among the notable attendees were sports commentator and chess reporter Sverre Krogh Sundbo, Carlsen’s long-time coach GM Peter Heine Nielsen and his wife, GM Viktoria Cmilyte-Nielsen, as well as GM Jon Ludvig Hammer, Norway’s former second-ranked player. Sundbo described the event as “a beautiful affair” in an interview with NRK.
Adding a touch of intrigue, a film crew from Netflix was present, as reported by Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet. The streaming platform is reportedly working on a chess-related TV series, slated for release in 2025.
Ella Victoria Carlsen, née Malone, is 26 years old and boasts a rich cultural heritage with a Norwegian mother and an American father. Having lived in Oslo, the U.S., and Singapore—where she holds permanent residency—her diverse background adds depth to her new role as Magnus Carlsen’s wife.
The couple first appeared publicly at the Freestyle Chess G.O.A.T. Challenge in Germany in February 2024. Since then, Ella Victoria has taken on an increasingly visible role in Magnus’s public life, joining him at events like the World Rapid & Blitz Championship in New York. Reports from VG suggest her influence extends beyond the chessboard, having helped secure Magnus a significant deal with fashion brand G-Star Raw.
This week has been monumental for Carlsen, beginning with his eighth World Blitz Championship title in New York, a win he shared with GM Ian Nepomniachtchi amidst some controversy. Despite the celebratory wedding, the newlyweds have postponed their honeymoon, as Magnus prepares for his Bundesliga debut with St. Pauli on January 10. His first match will pit him against Dusseldorf, led by rising star GM Gukesh Dommaraju.
