The Norwegian Chess Federation (NSF) held its 109th congress on Sunday, July 5, 2026, at the Quality Grand Hotel in Kristiansund, coinciding with the ongoing National Tournament. According to a report by BergenSjakk, the session lasted over four hours and was highlighted by a contested presidential election.
While the selection committee had proposed the re-election of incumbent president Lasse Østebø Løvik, a floor nomination was put forward for Jøran Aulin-Jansson, who has held the position of FIDE Vice-President since 2018. Following an extensive debate, the delegates went to a vote. Løvik secured a decisive victory, defeating Aulin-Jansson 77 to 41. The final tally reflects a strong vote of confidence from the federation’s members toward Løvik’s leadership and the current administration.
With no opposing candidates for the remaining leadership roles, the rest of the Central Board was confirmed without a contest. The new governing body is structured as follows:
President: Lasse Østebø Løvik (Stavanger)
Vice-President: Jon Kristian Haarr (Offerspill)
Finance Manager: Nina Hagesæther (Levanger)
Tournament Manager: Henrik Sjøl (Academic)
Board Members: Elise Forså (Tromsø), Håvard Eriksen Bech (Harstad), Ariza Hina (Bergens), Robert Jægtvik Aas (TSI Chess), Livia Lindstad (Nordstrand), Live J Skigelstrand (NTNUI), Herb Karaliurte (Søråshøgda)
Deputy Members: Egil Arne Standal (Volda Ørsta), Geir Kristian Jacobsen (Greveløkka), Aud Norunn Røsok Strand (Modum)
Beyond the election, the congress finalized several major regulatory changes and celebrated an unprecedented financial milestone. The approved financial accounts revealed a historic profit of more than NOK 2 million for the federation.
Other key resolutions and outcomes from the congress included:
Honorary Memberships: Geir Nesheim (SK 1911) and Ivbjørn Nimki (Smeaheia) were officially appointed as honorary members of the Norwegian Chess Federation.
Championship Status: The Oslo Championship in rapid chess for girls and women was officially upgraded to a national status, becoming the NM (Norwegian Championship) in rapid chess for girls and women.
Tournament Regulations: The Central Board’s proposed amendments to the NSF tournament regulations were adopted. Meanwhile, the NM committee’s regulatory proposals saw extensive debate; while several changes were approved, a proposed ban on the direct broadcasting/transfer of games in tournaments with an age limit of 16 or lower was rejected.
Voted Down Proposals: A motion to introduce a free federal quota for Grandmasters (GM) and Woman Grandmasters (WGM) was voted down.
School Integration: Delegates adopted an updated proposal supporting the “Equal treatment of upper secondary schools with a chess line in Norway,” which carried the endorsement of the Central Board.
Looking ahead, the Greveløkka Chess Club formally presented the plans for the National Tournament 2027, which will be hosted in Hamar, and announced the launch of its official event website.
