
About the event
Oslo Chess Festival 2019 will have a price money budget of approx. 100 000 NOK and will consist of a 9 round Open International Tournament. We also aim to have a decent number of live chess tables, video feed, commentaries and reports. In addition to that, it will be two Masterclasses by some high ranked GMs also with live feed. A social program in the evenings will make sure this will be an event worth being part of for any chess lover able to attend.
The playing format will be 9 rounds of Accelerated Swiss (Dutch).
To top it of, the Festival will close with a formal dinner included in the starting fee, entertainment and prize giving. We look forward to welcome you to play in what aims to be the biggest open tournament in Oslo of all times.
Oslo Chess Festival is created by Chess fans. For Chess fans

Prizes
The prizes is planned to be as listed below;
- 1st prize: 25 000 NOK
- 2nd prize: 15 000 NOK
- 3rd prize: 10 000 NOK
- 4th prize: 7 500 NOK
- 5th prize: 5 000 NOK
- Best player in the rating group 2000 - 2249: 5000 NOK
- Best player in the rating group 1750 - 1999: 5000 NOK
- Best player in the rating group 1500 - 1749: 2500 NOK
- Best player in the rating group under 1500: 2500 NOK
- Best female player in the rating group 2000 - 3000: 5000 NOK
- Best female player in the rating group 1500 - 1999: 5000 NOK
- Best female player in the rating group under 1500: 2500 NOK
- Most beautiful game: 1000 NOK each round
Starting fee is 1600 NOK (including formal dinner at closing cermony). GMs plays for free. IMs pay half prize.
The prize budget is depending on 140 players but will increase going above this target. More info will follow.
No one can win more than 1 Money Prize
Players without FIDE Elo will be placed in rating group according to estimated playing strength.
The Schedule 2019
Preliminary program Oslo Chess Festival 2019
- Monday 30th of Sept | 16:00 | Registration
- Monday 30th of Sept | 17:30 | Round 1
- Tuesday 1st of Oct | 10:00 | Round 2
- Tuesday 1st of Oct | 16:30 | Round 3
- Wednesday 2nd of Oct | 10:00 | Round 4
- Wednesday 2nd of Oct | 16:30 | Round 5
- Thursday 3rd of Oct | 10:00 | Round 6
- Thursday 3rd of Oct | 16:30 | Round 7
- Friday 4th of Oct | 10:00 | Round 8
- Friday 4th of Oct | 17:00 | Festival dinner with entertainment & fun
- Saturday 5th of Oct | 10:00 | Round 9
- Saturday 5th of Oct | 15:30 | Prize ceremony
Event Admins and Hosts
Some of the people making this years event possible
FAQ
Questions and answers about the event
- Is the Festival dinner really included in the starting fee?
Yes it is! What ever is left of the income from sponsors and starting fee, will be allocated to make a prize giving dinner for all participants. Included in the Festival dinner there will be some entertainment.
Other that has not participated in the tournament, can buy a meal coupon from the organizer for this event. The prize to do so is not ready for publishing but will be affordable. Please indicate your attention to do so when you register at the event.
- When do I have to register?
Latest possible registration is one hour before 1st round. In case you have problem meeting this deadline, contact the organizer at +47 9222 3443.
- How much is the starting fee?
The starting fee is 1600 NOK (approx. Euro 160) for all players and include Festival dinner etc. Late registration (after 31st of August) will increase the starting fee to 1750 NOK.
- When do I have to pay starting fee?
The payment info will be sent out in medio August and is due end of the month, 31st of August. Late payment will come with a late payment cost of 150 NOK. All necessary information will be submitted in due time.
- What is the starting fee used for?
The largest share of the starting fee is allocated to prizes. And due to the wide variety of prizes everyone has a real opportunity to win. Beside prizes we are allocating a huge percentage to offer all participants a festival dinner. Rest is used to pay for leasing of liveboard, arbiters, FIDE rating costs and the cost of inviting some good GMs and pay for the publishing of the whole event. No money will be pocketed :-) All will be used for fun!
- Is it possible to have a walkover round?
Yes, you can have one walkover round except for the round 8 and 9, as long as this is communicated to the Chief Arbiter in due time of pairing. You will get 1/2 point for the walkover round.
- Who is organizers of Oslo Chess Festival?
We are a group of chess fans with no official attachement to any chessclub or chess association in regards to the organizing of this event. OCF is created merely to enrich the international chess community with a tournament in the hometown of World Champion Magnus Carlsen and the capital of Norway. And to make it interesting for all the up and coming new stars of chess, the main tournament will be open for all registered chess players.
However, the people behind OCF is experienced players, chess arbiters and technical experts within chess online technology. Together we will make this event special!
- How do I get there?
There are many options for transport. One of the more comfortable travels is by train, and if you contact us in advance we might be able to pick you up at the final stop. You can take the bus 130 from Tønsberg to Tufte. The closest airport is "Torp Sandefjord". Here are some relevant links: Google Maps From-To search and VY - the national train service.
- Will Oslo Chess Festival be repeated next year?
We are a group of entusiast and truly believe this event will continue as we already have hosted several years in a row. So please do help us to make this a success by promoting the event to chess friends across the world. Looking forward to seeing you :-)
- What is the timecontrol and tiebreak rules?
The timecontrol will be 90 min / 40 moves, then 30 min in addition for the rest of the game + 30 sec increment per move from the first move in the game.
Tiebreak rules;
1) Score + expected score from free rounds
2) Median Bucholz
3) Bucholz -1 (remove the lovest score of your opponents)
4) Bucholz (no removals)
5) Average rating of your opponents
Hotel - Oslofjord Convention Center
Price per person with only breakfast can be subtracted with 300,- per night. All prices below includes full board (all meals).
The Venue Location
Oslofjord Convention Center - Oslofjordveien 9, 3159 Melsomvik
+47 92223443