Norway Chess was created to make elite chess more dynamic and engaging — for players, audiences, and viewers. The tournament combines classical games with Armageddon tiebreaks and faster time controls to ensure that every match has a winner.

Below, you can read more about the key elements that make up the Norway Chess format — from its innovative tie-break system to the technologies that make the games more exciting to follow.

The Tournament Format

Players:

Six players compete in each tournament — Norway Chess and Norway Chess Women.

Rounds:

Double round-robin, ten rounds in total. Each player faces every other player twice — once with white, once with black.

Time Control:

Shorter and more accessible for fans to follow. Two hours per player without increment; after move 40, a 10-second increment per move.

Armageddon:

A tie-breaker that guarantees a decisive result in every round. If the classical game ends in a draw, an Armageddon game decides the winner. White has 10 minutes and must win to claim victory; Black has 7 minutes and wins if the game is drawn. Read more about the story of Armageddon at Norway Chess here. 

Points:

A new point scoring system that rewards risk-taking in chess.

• Win in classical game – 3 points

• Draw in classical game + win in Armageddon – 1½ points

• Draw in classical game + loss in Armageddon – 1 point

• Loss in classical game – 0 points

Engaging the Audience

In addition to its tournament format, Norway Chess also includes other features that make chess more exciting to watch as well as to play. These tournament features bring fans closer to the players and make it easier to follow the action as it unfolds.

The Confessional Booth:

Players share live, in-game thoughts and reactions during play. Typically, the confessional booth is located in a room next to the playing hall, and players are encouraged to give thoughts about their ongoing games.

The booth is completely voluntary, and there is no contact with anyone outside while a game is in progress. Over time, it has become a space where players deliver brief, one-way monologues to the camera — offering unique insights into their thought process and emotions during critical moments.

TV Graphics and Commentary:

Technology-driven visuals make chess easier to understand and more engaging to follow.

At Norway Chess, we place great importance on making chess accessible to everyone – not only to those who already know the game. That’s why we continuously work to improve our broadcasts and make the visual experience more intuitive and exciting.

But it’s not just about graphics. We also focus on how the game is communicated, ensuring that our commentators use clear, simple language without losing analytical depth. Throughout the tournament, we invite guests who are not professional chess players but who share an interest in the game – TV personalities, cultural figures, and other interesting voices who can offer fresh perspectives and engaging reflections on chess.

In this way, we aim to make chess more accessible, lively, and inclusive – for both dedicated fans and those discovering the sport for the first time.

Norway Chess continues to keep the essence of classical chess while embracing innovation, technology, and audience engagement. Every move, every round, and every game is designed to make chess more exciting to watch and play.