Today, Iceland’s first and oldest Grandmaster announced his participation in the Reykjavik Open. Yes, the legendary Fridrik Olafsson will play!
Olafsson shouldn’t need to be introduced, especially not to local fans. He became Iceland’s first Grandmaster in 1958. He participated in the first edition of Reykjavik Open back in 1964 and he is a three time winner of this tournament. According to our “human database” GM Helgi Olafsson, Fridrik last played the Reykjavik Open in 1984!
Fridrik Olafsson was among the world elite at the peek of his playing career. He has victories on his resumé against some of the greatest players ever such as Fischer, Tal and Karpov. Olafsson gradually stopped playing and even was president of FIDE 1978-1982 before moving his career entirely to working at the Icelandic Parliament.
After his job retirement he has played the occasional tournament but his presence in the Reykjavik Open will surely attract many fans of the older generation to come to Harpan too see one of the national icons at play!
