How a national library became a chess venue

ON the third floor of the Deichman Bjorvika, Norway’s National Library, four of the world’s top 10 men’s chess players are engaged in a furious battle of wits over the chess board.

- SWAROOP SWAMINATHAN @Oslo

In one of the boards, Magnus Carlsen, one of the country’s biggest stars, is hovering over the chess board, deep in thought. He’s facing Alireza Firouzja, an Iranian-French GM. A couple of chairs away is D Gukesh, the reigning world champion.