The Norwegian Chess Championship took place from 28th June to 6th July at the Storefjell Resort Hotel, Golsfjellet.
The event consisted of 16 sections with the top Klasse Elite being reserved for the players over 2400.
15-years old IM Aksel Bu Kvaløy from Stavanger emerged a new national champion after edging GM Frode Urkedal on tie-breaks.
Kvaløy also scored his 2nd Grandmaster norm.
“It feels good, I didn’t quite expect to reach the top, but I did, so now I’m very happy,” Kvaløy said for NRK.
NRK also notes that only twice before has a 15-year-old won the national chess championship; Simen Agdestein in 1982 and Magnus Carlsen in 2006.
Norwegian Chess Championship – Klasse Elite final standings:
1-2 IM Aksel Bu Kvaløy 2466 Stavanger and GM Frode Olav Olsen Urkedal 2560 Offerspill – 6.5 (from 9 games)
3 IM Tor Fredrik Kaasen 2465 Offerspill – 5.5
4-9 IM Frode Elsness 2426 Dragen, GM Lars Oskar Hauge 2480 OSS, IM Jens E Ingebretsen 2407 OSS, IM Semen Mitusov 2475 OSS, GM Jon Ludvig Hammer 2611 OSS and IM Mads Vestby-Ellingsen 2343 Tromsø – 5.0 etc