The Icelandic Chess Championship – more grandmasters than ever

The Icelandic Championship began at Ásvöllur today. 

From 15th to 25th May 2023, The Icelandic Chess Championship (The Icelandic Chess Championship), organised by the Icelandic Chess Federation, is being held in splendid conditions at Ásvellir in Hafnarfjörður, and all indications are that this year's tournament will be one of the strongest in chess history. Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir, the Mayor of Hafnarfjörður, made the first move at the tournament, which began at 3 p.m. today at Ásvellir.

Eight grandmasters among the competitors

Of the twelve competitors, eight are grandmasters (out of a total of 16 who have been awarded the title), which is a record. In addition, there is one women's grandmaster, one international master, one FIDE master and one unranked player. Half of the competitors have previously been Icelandic champions. Leading the way is Hannes Hlífar Stefánsson, a thirteen-time Icelandic chess champion. The tournament has an impressive setting and all the games are being streamed live.

Competitors' List 2023

1. Hjörvar Steinn Grétarsson (2539-2) – Grandmaster
2. Hannes Hlífar Stefánsson (2521-13) – Grandmaster
3. Henrik Danielsen (2501-1) – Grandmaster
4. Heiðar Steingrímsson (2491-3) – Grandmaster
5. Vignir Vatnar Stefánsson (2470-0) – Grandmaster
6. Jóhann Hjartarson (2466-6) – Grandmaster
7. Bragi Þorfinnsson (2431-0) – Grandmaster
8. Guðmundur Kjartansson (2402-3) – Grandmaster
9. Hilmir Freyr Heimisson (2353-0) – International Master
10. Aleksandr Domalchuk-Jonasson (2338-0) – FIDE Master
11. Lenka Ptácníková (2099-0) – Women's Grandmaster
12. Jóhann Ingvason (2076-0)

(chess rating and Icelandic championship titles in open category in brackets)

Sponsors of the 2023 event

• Hafnarfjörður Municipality
• Algalife
• Teva
• The Length
• Gudmund Arason
• Against X