WHAT DO OUR GUESTS SAY?
GM Maurice Ashley (USA)
Back home from an amazing trip to Iceland! Reconnected with old friends and made a few new ones. The organization of the tournament was fabulous; they do everything to make you feel right at home. And the food! Some of the best soups and freshly made fish I’ve had in years. Iceland’s simply one of the best places in the world. I can’t wait to return!
GM Robert Hess (USA)
Thanks again for the fantastic tournament. I plan on returning to Reykjavik many more times.
IM John Bartholomew (USA)
Thanks for a very enjoyable and professionally-run event! I will definitely be returning to Iceland.
FM Michael Langer (USA)
I want to express my thanks again for the wonderful tournament.
GM Alexander Ipatov – Junior World Champion from Turkey
The tournament in Reykjavik is finished. I met so many great people here and spent the time really great. Iceland is an amazing country! I’m very grateful to Gunnar Bjornsson and all other people who took participation in the organization of this great festival
Peter Doggers (Holland) – www.chessvibes.com.
And so an end has come to a wonderful tournament, or rather, festival, in “chess city” Reykjavik. The closing ceremony was organized in a way that one normally only sees at super tournaments: in the reception area of the town hall, with free champagne and hors-d’oevres. The organizers are ambitious: they are planning to grow further for the 49th and 50th edition which will also take place in Harpa and for which more private sponsorship has already been secured. Besides, for 2015 they hope to get the European Team Championship to Reykjavik.
Alina L´ami (Romania) – www.chessbase.com.
Being able to watch such high class chess in a very beautiful location is not the only reason for the increasing popularity of this special tournament. Its organizers simply refuse to rest before things are solved, before they know you are happy. And they always learn from the previous edition, making the next one even better. To me, it looks like the entire nation, the local authorities, the sponsors, the politicians, they are all weaving an atmosphere which is difficult to describe.
Daniel Vanheirzeele (Belgia)
I’m coming back and not alone:)-… I’ve played around the world and seen many places, but you really are in my Top 3 of all! The combination of nice people, venue, soccer ‘ yes indeed!), good food and great chess culture, is simply a perfect reason to return!
Macauley Peterson –Chess Life
The Reykjavik Open survived the financial crisis and now has stable financial and, equally important, political backing for the next three years. This year the tournament moved to a world-class concert hall calledHarpa, which was completed last Spring. It is surely one of the most spectacular venues for an open tournament anywhere. The tournament is being positioned as a showcase event in the nation’s capital, but part and parcel of a larger chess development initiative. Icelanders see their country as a bridge between the Americas and Europe, and Reykjavik with its relaxed cosmopolitan flair is at the center. Just pack your boots, and keep an eye out for elves!
