FIDE press release
The 2023 Norwegian Championship was held in fifteen categories from June 30 to July 8 in Vallhall Arena, Oslo. The Klasse Elite, a 9-round Swiss tournament brought together the best local players, except Magnus Carlsen, who was fighting in SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz Zagreb those days.
Unlike the 2022 event, in which Agdestein had breezed past competition and won with a round to spare, the 2023 campaign was not an easy ride for the defending champion. Simen grabbed the lead after Round 4 but suffered a setback in Round 6 at the hands of IM Benjamin Haldorsen, who caught up with him.
Undaunted, Agdestein finished strong with two straight victories, scored 6.5/9 and clinched the title. GM Evgeny Romanov, IM Elham Abdrlauf and the rating favourite GM Aryan Tari finished a half-point behind the champion and tied for second place. Silver and bronze went to Romanov and Abdrlauf, respectively, thanks to superior median Buchholz.
In round 8 Agdestein scored a crucial win in a theoretically interesting fine attacking game.
