The Icelandic chess community is joining forces to honor one of the greatest legends in the nation's history. The Icelandic Chess Federation, Goðinn Chess Club, and Reykjavík Chess Club are collaborating to host the Friðrik Ólafsson Memorial in November 2026. Presented under the unique "Town and Country" concept, this special event promises chess enthusiasts 15 rounds of high-level competition in just 11 days, set against the breathtaking backdrop of Iceland's diverse landscapes.

A Chess Adventure Across Two Contrasting Settings

This extraordinary chess festival offers participants the chance to experience two of Iceland's most contrasting and captivating regions. Players can combine the main memorial event in the capital with the Sel Hotel Mývatn / Mývatn Öl Tournament (19–22 November) in northern Iceland. This combination allows competitors to make their moves in both a vibrant urban setting and the serene, volcanic wilderness of the Icelandic countryside.

The Giant Slayer: Friðrik Ólafsson

Friðrik Ólafsson, after whom the tournament is named, holds a monumental place in chess history as Iceland's very first Grandmaster (GM) and a former FIDE President. Winning his first Icelandic Championship at the tender age of 17, Ólafsson went on to claim the national title six times and became a two-time Nordic Chess Champion. He earned his Grandmaster title in 1958 following a remarkable joint fifth-place finish at the prestigious Portorož Interzonal, which simultaneously qualified him for the legendary 1959 Candidates Tournament and sparked a massive chess boom in his homeland.

Renowned across the chess world as a "giant slayer," Ólafsson consistently proved his mettle against the absolute elite. Over the course of his illustrious career, he defeated legendary World Champions Bobby Fischer, Mikhail Tal, and Tigran Petrosian on two occasions each. Even while serving as FIDE President from 1978 to 1982, his competitive fire remained undiminished; in 1980, he famously defeated the reigning World Champion Anatoly Karpov. The upcoming memorial in November 2026 invites players from around the globe to Iceland to celebrate and keep this extraordinary legacy alive.