Norwegian GM Frode Urkedal received over 10,000 Norwegian kroner (~$1,000) from more than 30 Norwegians during the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships 2025 in Doha. This followed an anonymous donor transferring 40,000 Norwegian kroner (~$4,000) to Urkedal in early December 2025, enabling his participation. Urkedal shared his thoughts on the support in an interview with NRK.

Frode Olav Olsen Urkedal

Frode Olav Olsen Urkedal

Norwegian GM

“I simply cannot reply to everyone. It has become too much.

Someone transferred over 5000 kroner to me the other day, just like that. It’s 20-30 people who have sent me something. I probably receive more money now than the fundraising for the New Year’s fireworks in Oslo! I don’t know why people are sending me money, friends are sending money too.”

The FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships 2025 took place in Doha, Qatar from December 26 to 30 with a €1,000,000 prize pool. GM Frode Olav Olsen Urkedal (2578) finished the Rapid tournament in 160th place with 6/13 points and the Blitz tournament in 175th place with 8.5/19 points.