Norwegian Chess Championship 2009, Awards

Picture 1, my hard earned trophy
Picture 2, a very proud me
Picture 3, Richard Madsen to the left in 3rd place, Henning Lohne in the middle in 1st place and me to the right in 2nd place.

The Norwegian Chess Championship is an event. You get to meet and bond with other chess players, play games, analyze, talk about tactics and other topics not relevant to chess. You just don`t want the tournament to end. But as I am standing here, receiving my trophy for second place, I have to admit I am tired and exhausted and want to go home.

I did what I feel I could do to prepare for this tournament. A few months before the tournament I was confident that I would get first, second or third place. Not so much the weeks before the tournament and certainly not after it started. But I feel I did ok. I am satisfied with my gameplay. Coming in second place with 41 participants was not easy. I fought some tough battles with 6 victories, 2 draws and 1 defeat.

Henning Lohne (first place), myself (second place) and Richard Madsen (third place), all played draws against each other, which shows that it was pretty even gameplay at the top of the class.

Here is a video I made that summarizes the 10 days the tournament lastet. Enjoy!

Norwegian Chess Championship 2009, Class 5, Game 7

Picture 1, Class 5 player Halfdan Holmen. He ended up in 4th place.
Picture 2, Class 5 player
Picture 3, Class 5 player

GAME 7, my most irritating draw
I try for attack. Not that I believe it will get me anywhere, but just checking to see if my opponent makes a mistake. He doesn`t and sooner or later the game evens out. After what I might call a very short game, he asks for a draw. I accept, even though I regret it soon after. I accepted, because at this time I am starting to think strategically. The lead poncho has won all his games and at the table next to me, table 1, Vidar Gjære has just been beaten badly. To stay in the race, I can`t get a loss at this time. And I am certain I will be the next contender for the lead poncho, where I believe a loss is most likely to happen. I regret it, because of the following: My opponent has a bishop and a knight against my two knights. Now the pawns are all over the board and he might be able to move faster across the board with a bishop against my knights. But with my pawns on the opposite color of his bishop I have a great advantage. Also, with two knights it doesn`t really matter where he places his pawns. I am still uncertain if I made the correct decision about accepting the draw in this game. (He ended up in 3rd place overall).

0000 Gaute Michel Ferstad, Trondheim, White, 1/2
0973 Richard Madsen, Hønefoss, Black, 1/2