The VISA NORDIC GRAND PRIX CHESS COMPETITION 1996-97 will come to a close October 8-22 with a 14 player Round Robin Tournament played in Reykjavik, Iceland, organised by the Icelandic Chess Federation at Grand Hotel Reykjavik. The chief official sponsor being VISA INTERNATIONAL, the world´s leading consumer payment organisation.

 This new Nordic tournament series started off by 5 preliminary events being played at various venues in the Nordic Countries as a part of Open International Tournaments. The 1st being The Reykjavik Open 1996, Iceland; 2nd Politiken Cup, Copenhagen, Denmark 1996; 3rd Gausdal Open 1996, Norway; 4th Rilton Cup, Stockholm, Sweden 1996-97 and 5th Thorshavn Open, Faeroe Islands 1997. The tournaments were all a great success and attracted a lot of strong Nordic and International chess players. The best results and individual performance from at least three tournaments counted for qualification to the Final Grand Prix by the number of NGP-points scored.

 THE PLAYERS LIST: (by order of NGP-points)

 

Crosstable

Title	Player	Country	Rating	GP Points
GM	Curt Hansen	Denmark	2600	65.79
GM	Johann Hjartarson	Iceland	2605	50.17
GM	Hannes H. Stefansson	Iceland	2545	49.50
IM	Tiger Hillarp-Persson	Sweden	2445	47.00
GM	Rune Djurhuus	Norway	2525	39.72
GM	Einar Gausel	Norway	2540	35.46
GM	Jonathan Tisdall	Norway	2480	35.00
GM	Throstur Thorhallsson	Iceland	2510	33.42
GM	Ralf Akeson	Sweden	2520	30.93
GM	Helgi Ass Gretarsson	Iceland	2475	25.00
GM	Jonny Hector	Sweden	2470	24.63
GM	Lars Schandorff	Denmark	2505	20.89
-	John Arni Nilssen	Faroe Islands	2310	par. 3.4
GM	Heikki Westerinen	Finland	2410	wild card

GM Margeir Petursson, one of the 5 Icelandic qualifiers (42.50) is unable to take part due to other engagements (Stock Market Chess). GM Lars Schandorff steps in as the first reserve.

 The PRIZE FUND is USD 22.000, divided as follows:

 1^st $6500; 2^nd $4100; 3^rd $2900; 4^th $2000; 5^th $1500; 6^th $1000; 7-14^th $500

 The tournament has by a special discision of the Nordic Chess Federation been enhanced to the NORDIC CHAMPIONSHIP 1997 to commemorate the fact that 100 years are gone from the first one in Stockholm in 1987 The winner will therefore have the change to win two tournaments in one and gain the VISA NGP-title and the venerable title of Nordic Champion, which is presently held by Gm. Curt Hansen.

 The Organising Committe Chairman is Mr. Agust Sindri Karlsson, President of ICF. The initiator and chief administrative officer og the VISA Nordic Grand Prix Competition is Mr. Einar S. Einarsson, Nordic Zonal President of FIDE.

 

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