This was our second visit to Fagernes. We first went in Autumn 2024, and it was great to be back.
Fagernes is a small and peaceful town with a population of around 2,000 people. It takes about three hours by bus to reach from Oslo, but the journey is absolutely worth it. The scenery is breathtaking, and this time, we got to experience it in full winter beauty.
At the start of the tournament, there wasn’t much snow. But as the rounds progressed, snowfall increased, and by the end, everything was covered in white. Watching the snow fall and seeing the town transform into a winter wonderland was truly special.
A Strong Comeback Performance
Tarun’s tournament started off a bit shaky. He suffered a loss in the second round against a lower-rated opponent, but that turned out to be his only loss of the event.
From that point onward, he showed great resilience and fighting spirit, scoring an impressive 6.5/9 overall and finishing shared second place.
It was a strong comeback, after an early setback.
Interesting Games
Some of Tarun’s most interesting games from the tournament included:
- Tarun vs Ethan Pang
In the third round, Tarun was paired against Ethan Pang, the youngest player in the world to achieve a 2300 rating and earn the FM title.
Can you find mate in 5 moves?
- Tarun vs Frederik Kaasen
Team Talking Chess Experience
One of the highlights of the tournament was participating in the famous Norway Team Talking Chess event.
The format is very unique and fun:
- Each team consists of 4 players
- There are 6 boards in play
- Players can talk, discuss, and even swap boards during the game
The event was played over 4 rounds with a 10+5 time control.
This was our first time playing in this format, and while we didn’t fully meet our expectations, it was an incredibly fun and memorable experience.
Our team was called “WalkieTalkie”
Final Results and Reflections
Both Tarun and I ended the tournament on a positive note by winning our final round games.
L-R GM Diptyan Ghosh, IM Tarun, IM Jens Evang, GM Normunds Miezis, FM Rithwik Krishnan
Congratulations to Jens, who played an excellent game in the final round, winning with the Black pieces against GM Rasmussen to clinch the championship.
Also, congratulations to Rithwik Krishnan, who delivered in a must-win final round to secure his IM norm.
Watch our Fagernes journey here, featuring travel clips, tournament highlights, and the prize giving ceremony:
- Tarun finished shared second (3rd on tiebreaks)
- I had a decent tournament — not exactly how I wanted it to go, but still a valuable learning experience
- I also finished as 2nd Best Woman
Every tournament brings lessons, and this one was no different.
Food, Atmosphere & Organisation
The food throughout the event was excellent, with a wide variety of options available each day — always something to look forward to between rounds.
A big thank you to Hans Olav, who organized the event smoothly as always. His efforts make Fagernes a fantastic tournament experience year after year. After every round, Hans also wrote bulletins about the games, which was really cool to see. Not all tournaments do this, and it added something special to the overall experience.
Final Thoughts
Fagernes continues to be one of the most unique and enjoyable tournaments we’ve played. From the beautiful snowy landscapes to the competitive yet friendly atmosphere, it’s always a special experience.
We’re already looking forward to coming back stronger next time.