The Reykjavík Chess Club (Taflfélag Reykjavíkur) will host the Friðrik Ólafsson Memorial Chess Tournament from November 24 to 29, 2026, at its playing venue on Faxafen 12 in the Icelandic capital.
The event is expected to feature a strong lineup, bringing together many of Iceland’s leading players alongside international competitors. Participation is open to players rated 2000 and above, with overall capacity capped at approximately 60 players, though organizers reserve the right to extend the field by 10 to 20 percent.
The tournament is structured as a classical over-the-board competition with a main time control of 90 minutes for 30 moves, followed by a 30-second increment starting from move one. Competitors can request up to two half-point byes across the first six rounds upon timely written notice to the arbiters, with first-round byes contingent on confirmed pre-payment.
Titled players holding GM, WGM, IM, or WIM titles receive complimentary entry, while fees for FIDE Masters and non-titled players are set at €75 and €150, respectively.
Organizers have established a prize fund featuring €3,000 for first place, alongside dedicated category awards for women (€1,000) and juniors (€500).
The tournament honors the memory of Friðrik Ólafsson (1935–2025), a legendary figure who placed Iceland on the global chess map. Ólafsson became Iceland’s first Grandmaster in 1958 and went on to defeat several world champions throughout his distinguished career, including Bobby Fischer, Mikhail Tal, and Anatoly Karpov. Beyond his over-the-board achievements, he served as the fourth President of FIDE from 1978 to 1982 and later held the post of Secretary-General of the Icelandic Parliament. His broad legal and administrative contributions helped build the foundation for Iceland’s rich modern chess tradition.
Registration on official website
