In an exciting rapid match that was covered on the commercial Norwegian channel TV2, as well as online, Simen Agdestein defeated his former student Jon Ludvig Hammer 3.5-1.5. That earned the veteran Norwegian grandmaster an invitation to his first super tournament in more than 20 years. But the player who once reached 16 in the world may not play the event!

by Tarjei J. Svensen

TV2 live webcast

Following Carlsen's sixth round win over Mamedyarov, the first three games between Norway’s #2 and #3 were covered by experts in the same studio. The games were commentated on by Norway’s second most famous chess player Lahlum along with Ellen Carlsen and a former Olympiad player on Norway’s women team, Erle Marki Hansen.

After winning games three and four, Agdestein secured the match by drawing game five. There was no need for a sixth game as the match was won 3.5-1.5.

Agdestein thus earned the chance to play in his first super tournament in 25 years. During Tilburg 1989, where he took part along with legends such as Garry Kasparov, Viktor Korchnoi, Vassily Ivanchuk and Lajos Portisch, Agdestein was still an active football player for the Norwegian national team. But unfortunately his football career was ended by a knee injury not long afterwards.

Only five weeks before Norway Chess starts, Agdestein told chess24 that he is still considering whether he should accept the invitation:

I have to think about it. It depends on my level of energy. Playing in an event like this is extremely exhausting. I also think Jon Ludvig deserves another chance on this level as he is younger and a full-time professional.

Hammer, on the other hand, was visibly disappointed while appearing in the TV studio minutes after the final game on Sunday, telling TV2:

I’m disappointed. There’s nothing more to say about that. I thought I had good chances in both games today, but I messed up. I wasn’t focused enough.

It now remains to be seen whether Agdestein will give up his spot to his former pupil. Agdestein says he may make a decision while playing a tournament on Mallorca, Spain, in mid-May. He wouldn’t rule out a position as commentator as in the previous year, when he featured on the live webcast alongside New in Chess editor Dirk Jan ten Geuzendam. 

If he does play, then in addition to Magnus Carlsen, Simen Agdestein would face Levon Aronian, Vladimir Kramnik, Veselin Topalov, Sergey Karjakin, Peter Svidler, Alexander Grischuk and Fabiano Caruana.

Speaking to vg.no, Agdestein, who is currently number 156 in the world rankings, commented:

Facing these guys is like meeting Mike Tyson in the boxing ring!

The tenth and final player in the Norway Chess field has reportedly been decided and is set to be announced in a press conference next week.

See also:

• Magnus in Moscow