Jon Ludvig Hammer

Jon Ludvig Hammer follows in Magnus Carlsen’s footsteps as Norway gains in power
Leonard Barden
The Guardian, Thursday 24 December 2009

A world-class chess talent can often spark others in his or her country to raise their sights. This happened in England in the 1970s, and now Norway, formerly a chess backwater, is experiencing a boom due to Magnus Carlsen‘s exploits. The Norwegian government has just announced that it will give $12m (£7.5m) backing to the Arctic town Tromso to stage the 2014 world team Olympiad.

Carlsen’s first prize in the London Classic was matched in the open event by his countryman, Jon Ludvig Hammer, also a 19-year-old, who led all the way from a strong field. And England’s No 2 woman Jovanka Houska, whose tied second was a career-best result, now lives in Norway.

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