My Tromsø experience

Farewell dinner with Arctic chess main organizer, acting Mayor of Tromsø, members of 2014 Tromsø Chess Olympiad Commitee, and the Norwegian Chess Federation

My impression of the city of Tromsø: It is absolutely a beautiful city. It is quite modern, but at the same time retains the old charm. The weather is fantastic, as you can see from the many pictures I have posted. It is definitely a city I would love to visit again in the future.

My impression of the residence of Tromsø: The people are very nice and friendly. Just about everyone speaks English fluently.

My impression of the chess event: The Arctic Chess Challenge is an amazing tournament. Everyone from the organizing committee is very nice, courteous, and friendly. They go out of their way to make all the players feel comfortable. They came up with many amazing side activities for the players and their families (cable car trip, midnight fishing, boat trip, soccer, etc.). Every player I spoke to is very pleased with the playing condition.

My impression of Tromsø as a possible city for the 2014 Chess Olympiad: It has been more than 50 years since a Chess Olympiad is being held in a Scandinavian country. I believe the last one was in Helsinki in 1952.

2014 is also a special year for Norway because it will be the 200th anniversary of the birth of the Constitution of Norway and 100th anniversary of the Norwegian Chess Federation. The city of Tromsø is modern, friendly, and a well equipped city to host a Chess Olympiad. It is definitely a qualified city and ready for this task.

Disclaimer: As of this moment, I do not know which other cities will bid for the 2014 Chess Olympiad. I was not paid for my visit to Tromsø. I was there to support Ray Robson, visit old friends, and to learn more about the city of Tromsø. What I stated above is purely my personal, unbiased and independent opinion as a chess professional.