Norway Chess 2026 starts from 25th May
From May 25 to June 5, 2026, the chess world will turn its attention to Norway. This time, the action shifts from Stavanger to Oslo. The games will be played at the Deichman Bjørvika library. Sounds like a perfect setting for intense classical games… but Norway Chess is not calm. At least, not last year. If you followed Norway Chess last year, you know exactly what that means. If you did not, let’s just say the tournament reminded everyone that classical chess can be emotional and occasionally hazardous for nearby furniture!
Address: Anne-Cath, Vestlys plass 1, 0150 Oslo, Norway
Norway Chess has always been different. Since its beginning in 2013, the tournament has evolved steadily. It pushes players out of their comfort zones to encourage fighting chess. The scoring system was changed, a new time control was introduced, and the Armageddon playoff was added. Together, these changes shaped Norway Chess into a high-pressure tournament. More pressure also meant more visible emotion! We got some iconic reactions last year. Magnus Carlsen’s table-bang moment quickly went viral and became a popular meme on social media.
A few popular memes:
This year, both Norway Chess and Norway Chess Women will have the same format and the same prize fund. Each tournament will follow a double round-robin format with six players. As in previous editions, the Armageddon format will guarantee a decisive result in every round. If a classical game ends in a draw, the players will immediately move to an Armageddon game to determine the winner.
The complete list of participants for Norway Chess and Norway Chess Women will be announced in the coming weeks. For now, the following players have already been confirmed:
Playing Schedule:
The 2026 event marks the 14th edition of Norway Chess and the 3rd edition of Norway Chess Women.
