We wanted Norway meet to be Champions League for chess

FEW events in the chess calendar have risen to prominence like Norway Chess.

- SWAROOP SWAMINATHAN @ Chennai

First started in 2013, the annual Classical tournament has grown from strength to strength over the last decade. It has led to the likes of Garry Kasparov calling the event, held in the coastal city of Stavanger in the country's southwest, the Wimbledon equivalent of the game.

Kjell Madland, founder of Norway Chess, was in Mumbai on Friday to hold exploratory talks with interested parties in relation to hosting an event associated with Norway Chess in India next year. In an interview with this daily, Madland spoke about how NC became a household name in the world of chess, the possibility of having an Indian sponsor and the upcoming D Gukesh vs Magnus Carlsen match at Norway Chess this year.

Excerpts:

• On the origins of Norway Chess and how it became an important tournament