Will there be another table-bang moment at Norway Chess this year?

by Rasika Ratnaparkhi - 05/02/2026

Norway Chess returns on May 25 with another exciting edition of top-level classical chess. The tournament will take place from 25th May to 5th June 2026 at the Deichman Bjørvika library in Oslo. This will be the first time the event will take place outside Stavanger. Norway Chess is known for it's intense format and high-pressure games. Last year perfectly showed how intense the tournament can be. Magnus Carlsen’s table-bang after his loss to World Champion D Gukesh became one of the most talked-about moments in recent chess history. Will we see something like that again in 2026? We will have to wait and see. Read the article to find out which players have been confirmed so far. Photo: chess24

Norway Chess 2026 starts from 25th May

From May 25 to June 5, 2026, the chess world will turn its attention to Norway. This time, the action shifts from Stavanger to Oslo. The games will be played at the Deichman Bjørvika library. Sounds like a perfect setting for intense classical games… but Norway Chess is not calm. At least, not last year. If you followed Norway Chess last year, you know exactly what that means. If you did not, let’s just say the tournament reminded everyone that classical chess can be emotional and occasionally hazardous for nearby furniture!

Venue for the Norway Chess and Norway Chess Women 2026, Deichman Bjørvika library. | Photo: Erik Thallaug

Address: Anne-Cath, Vestlys plass 1, 0150 Oslo, Norway

Norway Chess has always been different. Since its beginning in 2013, the tournament has evolved steadily. It pushes players out of their comfort zones to encourage fighting chess. The scoring system was changed, a new time control was introduced, and the Armageddon playoff was added. Together, these changes shaped Norway Chess into a high-pressure tournament. More pressure also meant more visible emotion! We got some iconic reactions last year. Magnus Carlsen’s table-bang moment quickly went viral and became a popular meme on social media.

Magnus Carlsen bangs the table after he lost to World Champion D Gukesh. | Video: ChessBase India

Gukesh's favourite meme of Magnus' table bang. | Video: ChessBase India

Abhyudaya and Aditya from ChessBase India tried recreating that famous table-bang moment. | Video: ChessBase India

A few popular memes:

This year, both Norway Chess and Norway Chess Women will have the same format and the same prize fund. Each tournament will follow a double round-robin format with six players. As in previous editions, the Armageddon format will guarantee a decisive result in every round. If a classical game ends in a draw, the players will immediately move to an Armageddon game to determine the winner.

The complete list of participants for Norway Chess and Norway Chess Women will be announced in the coming weeks. For now, the following players have already been confirmed: