Trent Alexander-Arnold, a teenage player from Liverpool, is about to challenge the current world champion in chess after disclosing his hidden passion for the game.

The 19-year-old right back Alexander-Arnold enjoys relaxing with a game of “strategy and skill” on the board, although many players his age pass the time playing computer games like Fortnite.

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Liverpool colleague Ben Woodburn is Alexander-Arnold’s usual opponent, but on October 8, he will face Magnus Carlsen, the world champion of the previous eight years, which will be a significant step up.

Teenage Liverpool and England right back Trent Alexander-Arnold, 19, loves to play chess

Alexander-Arnold is set to put his skills to the test against world champion Magnus Carlsen, 27

The Liverpool star’s big date with Carlsen is scheduled for October 8 in Manchester, England

Norwegian Carlsen will expect to beat Alexander-Arnold with ease but the Liverpool ace, dubbed the ‘Melwood Grandmaster’, has other ideas.

“Scheme and skill are the key components of chess, just like in football,” said Alexander-Arnold, who will be trained by two junior chess stars from Kaspersky Lab.

determining when and how to attack while closely monitoring your defense. Similar to players, the pieces have various locations, attributes, and positions, so you must know how to use them to your advantage to get the desired outcome.

I leaped at the chance to work with Kaspersky Lab. My love has always been football, but I’ve also always loved chess.

For me, it’s a release. I’ve played since I was very little, and more recently, even though Ben Woodburn is currently in Sheffield, we still make time for games.

“Magnus will be a difficult test, but I think I could surprise people with Kaspersky Lab’s assistance.”

Kyan Bui, twelve, and Shreyas Royal, nine years old, serve as Alexander-Arnold’s mentors.

Through his father Jitendra Singh, co-coach Shreyas stated, “Even though Trent is ten years my senior, I am confident in helping him shock Magnus.”

“I can tell that his chessboard prowess matches his skill set on the field, and I am eager to collaborate with him in the hopes of surprising the “unbeatable” Magnus Carlsen.”

Between November 9 and November 28, Carlsen will defend his world title in a 12-game match against American Fabiano Caruana in London.

‘Chess, like football, is all about strategy and skill,’ explains Liverpool No 66 Alexander-Arnold

Young Alexander-Arnold is expected to lose to Carlsen but he says: ‘I might surprise people’

Alexander-Arnold’s two chess coaches are nine-year-old Shreyas Royal (right) and Kyan Bui, 12