Message from the organizer

We, the organizers of the yearly chess festival at Fagernes in Norway, all the way into the endgame of the preparations for our 2020 tournament hoped that that it could take place as planned in the Easter tournament. After severe emergency measures were declared both by the Norwegian government and by local health authorities March 12, we however had to conclude that it was now a both irresponsible and illegal move to run the tournament in April.

National and international sport events, including chess events, are this spring facing their most demanding set back since the Second World War. It is of course absolutely necessary that organizers and participants from all sports during such a situation with an acute risk of a further spread of a dangerous new infection, give full support to the emergency measures.

At the same time, it is important that organizers and participants look forward and plan for sport events to be reestablished as soon as possible after the crisis. For our part, we are happy to announce that we following consultations with the Norwegian Chess Federation and the Scandic Valdres Hotel have found a new three-year plan, including new Easter holiday tournaments at Fagernes in 2021 and 2022.  

As for the 2020 tournament, our first plan for the second half of June turned out to be too impatient and risky. Therefore, we have made a new plan to realize our postponed tournament as an autumn holiday tournament from Sunday October 4 to Sunday October 11. With only a few small adjustments, Fagernes Chess International and The Open Norwegian Championship then will be played as planned for Easter. 

The immediate response to this decision has been very promising, and before publishing the new tournament dates we already have more than 40 registered participants. Following this it is our hope and our belief that the festival in the autumn will reach at least the same high level and number of players as it would have had in the spring. 

Old and new chessfriends of different ages, coming from around the whole of Norway and the rest of the chess world community, are hereby welcomed to a postponed and very much awaited chess tournament at Fagernes in October 2020! 

On behalf of the organizers 

IA IO Hans Olav Lahlum 

Chief organizer and chief arbiter