One of the strongest classical chess tournaments in the world, Norway Chess, will be moving base from Stavanger to Oslo for the 2026 edition after 13 years in the seaside city. But there will be some continuity at the event, in the form of former five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen, who was confirmed as the first player at the event this year.
Carlsen plays in just one or two classical tournaments each year with his home tournament of Norway Chess being a constant in his calendar. It was at Norway Chess last year where Carlsen had made headlines after the infamous fist smash on the board after losing to world champion Gukesh Dommaraju. Carlsen had also lost to R Praggnanandhaa at the 2024 edition of Norway Chess.
Carlsen has taken part in each of the 13 Norway Chess editions and has won seven of them.
This year, Norway Chess will take place from 25 May to 5 June. The event will be hosted at Deichman Bjørvika, which is a public library at Norway’s capital city.
Deichman Bjørvika, which is a public library at Norway’s capital city. (Photo: Erik Thallaug)
“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. We also want to thank our local sponsors and the incredible volunteers. Together you have written a chapter of Norwegian sporting history,” Kjell Madland, founder and CEO of Norway Chess, said.
After Carlsen, the remaining participants will be announced in the coming weeks, along with the line-up for Norway Chess Women, the organisers said in a statement.
The organisers said that the shift from Stavanger to Oslo will mark a new chapter for the event.
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“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,” Benedicte Westre Skog, COO of Norway Chess, said.
