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Norway Chess Moves to Oslo After 13 Years in Stavanger

The prestigious Norway Chess tournament is relocating to Oslo for its 2026 edition after being hosted in Stavanger since its inception in 2013. The event, scheduled from May 25 to June 5, will use Deichman Bjorvika as its primary venue. World champion Magnus Carlsen, who has won seven of the thirteen previous editions, is the first player confirmed to participate. The tournament will feature both the main Norway Chess event and the Norway Chess Women's tournament, which offers equal prize conditions.

Key Points: Norway Chess Moves to Oslo for 2026 Tournament

  • Moves to Oslo after 13 years in Stavanger
  • Deichman Bjorvika as primary venue
  • Magnus Carlsen confirms participation
  • Event scheduled May 25-June 5
  • Features equal prize women's tournament
2 min read

Norway Chess shifts to Oslo after 13 years in Stavanger

Norway Chess and Norway Chess Women relocate to Oslo for 2026 after 13 years in Stavanger, with Magnus Carlsen confirmed to compete.

"We see great opportunities in establishing Norway Chess in the nation's capital. - Benedicte Westre Skog"

Oslo, Jan 13

After thirteen years in Stavanger, Norway Chess and Norway Chess Women will be hosted in Oslo, with Deichman Bjorvika acting as the primary venue, the organisers said on Tuesday.

The event is scheduled from May 25 to June 5. Since its inception in 2013, Stavanger has hosted Norway Chess.

"Norway Chess would not have become the event it is today without the cross-party political support and the generous welcome we have received in Stavanger. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the City of Stavanger, which has stood by us all the way, especially in the development of Norway Chess Women, a pioneering women's tournament with equal prize conditions," said Kjell Madland, founder and CEO of Norway Chess.

Norway Chess will be held for the 14th time, and Norway Chess Women for the 3rd time. Carlsen has taken part in every edition and has won seven of them.

"We see great opportunities in establishing Norway Chess in the nation's capital. Oslo is an international meeting place and gives us a unique opportunity to reach an even wider audience, among spectators, partners, and new generations of chess enthusiasts," says Benedicte Westre Skog, COO of Norway Chess.

Magnus Carlsen is the first player to publicly confirm his participation in Norway Chess 2026. The organisers' remaining participants will be announced in the coming weeks, along with the line-up for Norway Chess Women.

Founded in 2013 with the ambition to bring together the world's best chess players. Over the years, it has consistently attracted the world's best players, including Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana, Hikaru Nakamura, and Alireza Firouzja.

Since 2024, the tournament has also welcomed leading female players such as Ju Wenjun, Anna Muzychuk, and Humpy Koneru.

In total, 18 of the highest-rated players in chess history have competed in Norway Chess.

Norway Chess combines classical games with faster time controls and Armageddon tiebreaks to ensure that every match has a winner.

Six players compete in each tournament - Norway Chess and Norway Chess Women. Double round-robin, ten rounds in total. Each player faces every other player twice - once with white, once with black.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
So happy to see Humpy Koneru mentioned among the top female players! Indian women are making us proud on the global chess stage. Hope the move to Oslo gives them even more visibility.
R
Rohit P
Magnus Carlsen's dominance is just insane - 7 wins out of 13 editions! But honestly, the format with Armageddon tiebreaks sounds more exciting than some of our traditional tournaments. Could be a good model for India.
S
Sarah B
While the move might be good for the tournament's growth, I feel a bit for Stavanger. 13 years is a long legacy. Hope the local chess community there isn't left behind. Growth shouldn't come at the cost of local supporters.
K
Karthik V
The double round-robin format is intense! Facing the same opponent twice really tests a player's strategy. Waiting for the full player list announcement. Fingers crossed for at least one Indian in the main event 🤞
M
Michael C
Norway continues to set the standard for how to organize and promote chess. The equal prize fund for the women's tournament is something all sports should emulate. Looking forward to the games!

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