Carlsen to play Tromsø

Norway’s Carlsen to Tromsø, NRK wins broader bid
Published on Thursday, 3rd April, 2014 at 07:20 under the news category, by Sarah Bostock.
Last Updated on 3rd April 2014 at 09:33.

Chess Olympiad Tromsø 2014 has accepted a deal with state-owned broadcaster NRK for the rights to transmit the event on the internet, TV, and radio. Magnus Carlsen will also appear there.

The 41st Chess Olympiad which takes place in the northern Norway city has become a success after Magnus Carlsen’s World Cup match against Vishy Anand last summer.

The games were only broadcast on NRK with dialogue before the Norwegian chess star’s success.

Companies such as TV2 and VGTV joined in the battle for broadcasting rights to the 2014 Olympiad after Carlsen’s triumph in India.

The chess tournament in Tromsø has been organised by the World Chess Federation, also known as FIDE since 1972.

FIDE is amongst the biggest sports organizations in the world. Over 170 participating countries and 2,000 attendees will join the Chess Olympiad for the national team this year.

The Olympiad will start in August, set with two teams in the open class and two teams in the women’s category.

These teams will consist of five players, and one member will act as a spare.

Magnus Carlsen is expected to join Norway’s first team in the open class, along with Simen Agdestein (46) and Jon Ludvig Hammer (23).

Agdestein and Hammer won two international tournaments, Thomas Robertsen, the head of the elite survey in the Norwegian Chess Federation informed news agency NTB.

“All the players have shown very strong play and particularly excelled in the last year,” Robertsen said.

Norway’s coalition government has demonstrated its support by allocating NOK 70m (about USD 11.5m/EUR 8.5m/GBP 7m) to the Chess Olympiad.

The total budget is NOK 119.3m (some USD 19.9m/EUR 14.5m/GBP 12m). The financing will occur through government support, regional funding, and marketing income.

“Being elected to host the Chess Olympiad in 2014 is a major ambition for our city,” said Tromsø Mayor Arild Hausberg. “We promise the chess world a unique experience combining expert and experienced organising skills in a friendly and exciting environment.”

Source: http://theforeigner.no