Last week, Tarun and I travelled to Copenhagen, Denmark, to compete in the ØBRO & CXU International 2026. It was our first visit to Denmark, and from the moment we arrived, we were impressed by how peaceful, green and bicycle-friendly the city was.
A Club with 90 Years of History
The tournament was hosted by ØBRO Chess Club, which this year celebrated its 90th anniversary.
Walking into the club, you could immediately feel its rich history. Legendary Danish Grandmaster Bent Larsen had visited the club, and many strong players have competed there over the decades. It was wonderful to play in a venue with such a strong chess tradition.
A Solid Week Over the Board
We both had an enjoyable tournament in Copenhagen. Tarun scored 6/9, while I finished on 5½/9 and won the Best Woman Prize.
Although I lost my first two games, I was pleased to recover strongly and finish the tournament on a positive note. Making a comeback after a difficult start always feels rewarding.
I’m barely able to smile before the round 😅
The tournament was won by the top seed, GM Laurasas Tomas of Lithuania, with an impressive 7/9.
Congratulations also to FM Nicolai Maxime Ostensen and FM Kush Bhagat, who both achieved their International Master (IM) norms during the event.
Blitz Success for Tarun
After Round 7, the organisers held a blitz tournament. Tarun had an excellent event and finished in first place.
Interesting Game
One of my favourite games from the tournament was my win against Albert Ramsdal.
A Thoughtful Gesture
Before our third-round game, my opponent, Garry Bekker, gave me a small koala keychain. It was a kind gesture and a nice souvenir to take home from the tournament.
Discovering Copenhagen
One of the best parts of the trip was simply walking through Copenhagen. From where I was staying, it took around 35 minutes to reach the chess club each day. The walk took me through beautiful parks, lakes and quiet streets
It became the perfect pre-game routine, a chance to clear my mind before several hours of concentration at the chessboard.
Another thing that immediately stood out was the number of people cycling. Bicycles seemed to be everywhere, giving the city a calm and relaxed atmosphere.
Excellent Organisation
The tournament was very well organised, and everything ran smoothly throughout the week. Players had tea, coffee, juice, biscuits and fresh fruit available during the games, which was much appreciated during the long rounds.
A special thank you to Casper Dahl Rasmussen, Freya Egelund, Thomas Larsen, Thomas Hauge Vestergaard and Martin Petersen, along with everyone else involved in organising the tournament. They were all incredibly friendly, welcoming and worked hard to make the event such a success.
Celebrating 90 Years
Before the prize-giving ceremony, everyone gathered to celebrate ØBRO Chess Club’s 90th anniversary.
The club treated everyone to traditional Danish pastries, and they were absolutely delicious.
A Wonderful Host
I was fortunate to stay with Anne Grethe, whose kindness made the trip even more memorable.
At 83 years old, Anne continues to live an incredibly active life. She cycles regularly, enjoys long walks and hiking, and even travels to different countries for hiking trips.
Listening to her stories and seeing her collection of photographs from around the world was genuinely inspiring. She reminded me that curiosity, adventure and staying active have no age limit.
Thank you, Anne, for making me feel so welcome during my stay in Copenhagen.
More Than Just Chess
While tournaments are remembered for the results, they’re often defined by the people you meet and the experiences you collect along the way.
From playing in a historic chess club, exploring one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, making new friends, enjoying Danish pastries, and sharing the week with welcoming organisers and hosts, Copenhagen gave us memories that will stay with us long after the tournament ended.
Thank you to everyone at ØBRO Chess Club for a wonderful event. We hope to return again in the future.
Trisha is Ireland’s first Woman Grandmaster (WGM) and the 2022 Irish Women’s Champion. As Co-Founder of ICTL, she has proudly led the national team on Board 1 at two Chess Olympiads and competed in nearly 40 countries worldwide. Her mission is to empower young girls to embrace chess, build their confidence, and help elevate chess to a recognized sport in Ireland.