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The ELO-group was reduced even more than the GM-group in the first half of the double round, as twelve players requested a walk over draw. Among them were three players –
Tarjei Joten Svensen (2082), Kai-Roger Johansen (1995) and Sonia Sirletti (1843) – having won both their first games. Fair enough of course, as one part of the Oslo Chess
International concept is to make the tournament useful also for players living in the capital city area and not having holiday from their work this week.
First seeded FM Daniel Jakobsen Kovachev (2289) anyway played and won with style as white in a Trompovsky duel against the Swedish veteran Kent Gustavsson (1892).
Although black succeeded exchanging three sets of minor pieces, white’s space advantage turned into a dangerous kingside attack before 25 moves – and after 33 he decided with a tactical double blow at g6 and f6.
Second seeded Johannes Kvisla (2096) played an unusual 3.--- a6 in a Caro Kann and got a much longer travel as black against the 14 year old surprise man
Martin Bergsjø Østby (1897). After queens were exchanged in move 30, black playing with two rooks, two minor pieces and six pawns on each side had the much better bishop
plus a queenside advantage, and he went on to reach a won rook endgame before 50 moves.
Third and last man to reach 3/3 became twelth seeded Geir Moseng (1983), coolly revealing dubious tactical complications from opponent Konstantin Govatsmark (1843) in the middle game.
Many very young players are observed very close to the top boards in the ELO group. 13 year old Sigurd Kjelsbøl Huse (1720) won some more ELO points against Swedish veteran Mats Wahlstedt (1980)
on boar four, as a chaotic middle game suddenly turned into a drawish endgame.
12 year old Andreas Garberg Tryggestad (2019) picked up an exchange in the middle game and safely won the endgame against 13 year old Lucas Ranaldi (1831) on the fifth board.
Meanwhile 12 year old Daniel Nordquelle (1814) produced a surprise win on board eight, efficiently using his chance when opponent Finn Egeland (1995) blundered his queen in a complex French Winawer duel.
The sixth board on the other hand saw a surprising result between two grown-up players, as Olav Erikstad (1832) defeated the still rusty fourth seeded Sigmund Reppen (2069).
White won a pawn with an aware 10.Nxe5! – untouchable as 10.--- Bxd1? 11.Bxf7+ Kf8 12.Bh6 would be a mate. Reppen was able to reset himself, but not the position,
after the opening shock: Erikstad was a sound pawn up and patiently realized his win in the rook endgame 40 moves later on.
This round (too) saw many more entertaining games, some surprising draws but no true sensations on the lower boards in the ELO-group.
The last seconds of excitement came after 5 hours and 59 minutes, as 15 year old Anders Nilsson Aure (1628) fought against his clock to mate Svein Erik Ruud (1798) in a totally won endgame.
The game was efficiently decided as Aure following an illegal move from his opponent suddenly got two minutes extra on the clock...
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