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Skak
Some time ago one of my readers here suggested that I write about Icelandic chess and the large number of grandmasters for such a small population. Well I haven't had time to write a long entry, so instead I'll provide a couple of links.
First of all, here is an article on Icelandic chess.
Next up, another article, this one on chess in small nations.
And, finally, some links to some Icelandic Chess web sites.
Enjoy.
janúar 22, 2004 | Permalink
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Comments
Hey thanks! I think Iceland's achievements in chess are really impressive and I'm glad you posted on it.
One mistake in the first article though:
Fridrik Olafsson was the first but not the only Icelander to qualify for the candidates round of the World Championship (i.e. top 8 players fighting for the right to challenge to world champ). Olafsson qualified in 1959, but in the early 1990s, Johann Hjartarson also qualified. I remember because his match was played here in the states (in Seattle). Unfortunately for Johann he was paired against former world champ Anatoly Karpov and got crushed something like 4-1. But it was still quite an achievement. I think Hjartarson like Olafsson is a lawyer in Reykjavik.
Posted by: MattG | 23.1.2004 07:33:39
Also, I should add that the famous World Championship match in 1972 between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky took place in Reykjavik!
Posted by: MattG | 23.1.2004 07:52:05
Yeah, I forgot to find a Fischer-Spassky link. That was probably the first time I heard anything about Iceland.
Posted by: Joe | 23.1.2004 09:13:31
Joe where are you from and how did you come to live in Iceland. Your readers want to know something about the blogger!
Posted by: MattG | 23.1.2004 12:41:47
Actually Matt, I only visited there. I live in the USA. In beautiful, cold Massachusetts.
Posted by: Joe | 23.1.2004 15:56:20
Wow -- it must be nice if you only visited Reykjavik one time and now blog about it!!
Posted by: MattG | 28.1.2004 16:18:55
Yes, Reykjavik is fabulous. I can't wait to go back. I'm no authority, though, on the rest of Europe, so I don't have much of a comparison. But Joe does. He's been all over Europe.
Posted by: kristen | 30.1.2004 12:07:13
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