French-language chess magazine Europe Echecs announced the Norwegian men’s roster for the 46th Chess Olympiad. The event will take place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from September 15 to 28.

Men’s roster:

  • 🇳🇴 Johan-Sebastian Christiansen (2656)
  • 🇳🇴 Elham Amar (2587)
  • 🇳🇴 Frode Olav Olsen Urkedal (2571)
  • 🇳🇴 Tor Fredrik Kaasen (2499)
  • 🇳🇴 Aksel Bu Kvaloy (2498)

In April, the Norwegian Chess Federation had selected Magnus Carlsen, Aryan Tari, and Jon Ludvig Hammer for the national team. Europe Echecs reports that all three players declined their invitations. The team’s average rating after the substitutions is 2578 points. Team Norway is ranked 21st in the world.

The Chess Olympiad is a prestigious national team competition. The event is held every two years and organized by FIDE. Magnus Carlsen will miss his third Olympiad since his debut in 2004. Carlsen did not play in the 2012 and 2018 Olympiads. Magnus has never won team gold, and his best individual result was Bronze on Board 1 in 2024.

Credit: Michal Walusza / Norway Chess