Norway Chess, one of the world’s most prestigious chess tournaments, will enter a new era in 2026, relocating from Stavanger to Oslo after 13 consecutive years on Norway’s west coast. Meanwhile, GMs Magnus Carlsen and Bibisara Assaubayeva have been announced as the first confirmed players.
In 2026, the 14th edition of Norway Chess and the Norway Chess Women’s will be held from May 25 to June 5 at the six-floor Deichman Bjorvika library in central Oslo, just steps away from the iconic Oslo Opera House.
Describing the move as “the start of a new chapter,” Benedicte Westre Skog, COO of Norway Chess, said: “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.”
Kjell Madland, founder and CEO of Norway Chess, thanked local sponsors and volunteers in Stavanger, adding: “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.”
“Stavanger will always be our chess home and part of our DNA. To further develop Norway Chess as a world-leading tournament, Oslo is a natural next step,” he said.
The relocation news was accompanied by the confirmation of Carlsen as the first announced participant. The 35-year-old remains the face of the tournament and will be chasing a record-extending eighth title, this time just a 15-minute drive from his new home in Stabekk, outside Oslo.
Carlsen has played in every edition of Norway Chess since its inception in 2013, all of them in Stavanger. Despite his global career, he has had remarkably few opportunities to play classical chess in Oslo. In fact, this marks his first classical tournament in Norway’s capital since 2003, excluding a few appearances in the Norwegian League and the Norwegian Championship playoff in 2006.
Norway Chess will also serve as Carlsen’s first classical tournament of 2026. After playing only 16 rated games in 2025, down from 18 in 2024, Carlsen has hinted that he could be playing more tournaments in 2026.
At the press conference after the 2025 World Blitz Championship, the 35-year-old said he will play “at least two, maybe three” classical tournaments in 2026. “That is a lot for me. I am looking forward to that challenge as well.”
Meanwhile, GM Bibisara Assaubayeva has been confirmed as the first player in Norway Chess Women, which is held for the third time alongside the main event.
“I’m really happy that I will play Norway Chess Women, because I think it’s an amazing event. We don’t have a lot of strong women’s tournaments, and it will be a very good experience,” said Assaubayeva.
Norway Chess said that the rest of the field will be announced in the coming weeks.
