A thrilling Icelandic Chess Championship came to a conclusion this Sunday with what can only be described as an epic final round. After the penultimate round two players -  Gudmundur Kjartansson and Helgi Gretarsson - were leading with 6 points out of 8. Chasing them in joint third with 5 points out of 6 were Hjorvar Steinn Gretarsson and Bragi Thorfinnsson; the latter after a string of amazing turnarounds in his last few rounds.

Fate would have it so that in the final round the players in joint third faced the leaders with black pieces. Therefore, there was a remotely possible scenario of a four-player playoff at the end of the tournament. While this seemed highly unlikely first,  it wasn’t out of the question the way things unfolded in the final round.

GM Bragi Thorfinnsson found a powerful sequence that resulted in him getting a great initiative and a better position in the game with Helgi Gretarsson. He managed to make the best out of that and beat his opponent to catch up with him and Kjartansson.

Meanwhile, Hjorvar Steinn Gretarsson was on the verge of finishing off Gudmundur Kjartansson in a very exciting game where he extinguished White’s initiative first and then obtained decisive positional and material advantage. However, when the time came to deliver a final blow on move 39 Gretarsson went astray:

Gudmundur Kjartansson - Hjorvar Steinn Gretarsson

After 39...Rxc4 White has to resign as 40. Bd4 is met with 40...Rd8. However, Hjorvar captured the c4-pawn with a wrong piece 39... Qxc4??  and after 40.Qxc4 Rxc4 Gudmundur built an unassailable fortress that gave an important half-point and the title.

Some strict regulations were applied in terms of sanitation and safety, with no audience and plenty of space between the boards. The players had to leave the scene immediately after their games.  There was no common area with food and drinks so the participants had to bring their own snacks. And of course, there were no handshakes.

Final standings:

1. IM Gudmundur Kjartansson – 6½ 
2. GM Bragi Thorfinnsson – 6
3. GM Helgi Ass Gretarsson – 6
4. GM Hjorvar Steinn Gretarsson – 5½
5. FM Vignir Vatnar Stefansson – 4½
6. IM Bjorn Thorfinnsson – 4½
7. FM Dagur Ragnarsson – 4½
8. GM Margeir Petursson – 3
9. GM Throstur Thorhallsson – 2½
10. Gauti Pall Jonsson – 2

Text and photo: Gunnar Bjornsson

Offical website: https://skak.is/skakthing/