OSLO (NORWAY): The European summer — cool and pleasant — has greeted the dozen players for the Norway chess tournament which begins on Monday.With the involvement of world champion D Gukesh and chess monarch Magnus Carlsen featuring in the over-the-board classical tournament, entertainment is guaranteed. And yes, there is a way to calm your nerves — the beautiful lake Sognsvann is a short stroll away from the buzzing city centre that is dotted with glitzy hotels and doubles as a transport hub.The women’s field will be led by China’s multiple world champion Ju Wenjun.Two men who had a busy GCT classical leg in Bucharest will also be part of the six-player field — Vincent Keymer of Germany and Iranian-turned Frenchman Alireza Firouzja. Keymer won that event by half a point from Fabiano Caruana of the US. Though he is in peak form, he has missed out on the Candidates. On the other hand, Alireza sprained his ankle, skipped one round and played two games from a hotel room in Romania before withdrawing. The Norway organisers had also invited Arjun Erigaisi last year. They have got R Praggnanandhaa on board this time. Pragg ended Javokhir Sindarov’s undefeated streak in classical chess in Romania.The tournament will be played at the Deichman Bjorvika, the main branch of Oslo Public Library, a neo-modern architectural marvel.Sindarov checks inAfter a hectic schedule of Cyprus Candidates meet which he won followed by GCT Rapid & Blitz in Poland and GCT classical in Romania, Uzbek GM Javokhir Sindarov is not going home. He will be in Oslo cheering for his close friend Bibisara Assaubayeva.
