History
The history of the Chess Olympiad in Norway dates back to 2006. In competition with several other Norwegian cities (Oslo, Lillehammer and Stokke in Vestfold), Tromsø was selected by the Norwegian Chess Federation (NSF) to be Norway`s candidate for the 41st Chess Olympiad in 2014.
A national project group, Tromsø 2014, consisting of representatives from the business community, politicians, Tromsø 2018 and the Norwegian Chess Federation was established. The project is currently organized by the applicant and planning company Chess Olympiad Tromsø 2014 AS owned by the Tromsø City Council and the Norwegian Chess Federation.
Since 2006, Chess Olympiad Tromsø 2014 AS supported by the Norwegian government, local businesses and national and local politicians in Norway and Tromsø worked in a determined manner towards hosting the Chess Olympiad in 2014.
A number of initiatives were implemented in order to position Tromsø as a serious and attractive candidate for the Chess Olympiad within the international chess community. The work began with the annual Arctic Chess Challenge tournament organized by the Tromsø Chess Club in collaboration with Chess Olympiad Tromsø 2014 AS
Norway’s candidacy was officially launched at the Chess Olympiad in Dresden in 2008. Chess Olympiad Tromsø 2014 AS had a large stand which presented the Norwegian bid and we hosted an official reception, which was attended by more than 300 prominent guests.
After Dresden, a strategic effort was implemented to market Tromsø as a serious contender for the Chess Olympiad in 2014. The big breakthrough came when the Norwegian parliament, the Storting, granted $US 11.8 million to the Chess Olympiad.
It was important for the campaign to show our presence among decision makers in the international chess world. To achieve this, the following initiatives were implemented:
- Arctic Chess Challenge 2006-2010
- Invited international chess media to Tromso
- Organised ECU Board meeting
- Organised FIDE Presidential Board meeting
- Invited representatives from FIDE to Tromsø to view and discuss our plans
- Established a programme of high level ambassadors for the project
Finally, Tromso was chosen as host city of the Chess Olympiad 2014 during the FIDE General Assembly in Khanty Mansjysk in 2010. The final agreement between FIDE and the Organising Committee of Tromsø was signed October 21, 2011 at the General Assembly in Krakow.
The agreement was signed by FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Herman Kristoffersen, in the presence of Tromso 2014 General Manager Børge Robertsen, Norwegian Chess Federation President Joran Aulin-Jansson and Tromsø 2014 international consultant Morten Sand.
In 2011 a new era began when a strategy process was initiated to formulate a strategic platform for the planning and implementation of the Chess Olympiad in Tromsø in 2014. A wide range of stakeholders from key public and private institutions with expertise in areas such as communication, sponsorship, logistics, chess and culture were involved.
In 2012 we were working to operationalise the overall strategy, marketing strategy and public relations and communication strategy.
One of the major goals for 2012 was the Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, which we attended with a large delegation headed by the Mayor of Tromsø. Norway and Tromsø formally received the baton from Turkey and Istanbul during an event at the closing ceremony of the Chess Olympiad.
Norway and Tromsø will for 2013 continue the preparations to host the best Chess Olympiad of all time in 2014. The next milestone will be the World Cup in August/September 2013. We look forward to hosting 128 of the best players in the world.