Icelandic Chess prodigies excel in the Nordic Chess Competition
Rewritten Output
Chess queens Iðunn Helgadóttir and Guðrún Fanney Briem from Iceland took home the Nordic chess championship crowns after a stunning display at the Nordic Girls Championship in Fredericia, Denmark this past weekend. These talented girls, coached by Björn Ívar Karlsson, stood out with their determination and preparation throughout the tournament.
In the under-20 and under-16 divisions, both players crushed their competition. Iðunn Helgadóttir won four out of five games in the under-20 category, while Guðrún Fanney Briem took four and a half victories out of five games in the under-16 division.
Preparation Wins Games
Karlsson, principal of the Icelandic Chess School, commended the girls' unwavering commitment, noting that their preparation was ahead of the rest of the competitors by a mile. "Each game was carefully analyzed in depth, targeting specific strategies against each opponent," he said. This meticulous approach allowed many of the wins to be clinched against higher-ranked opponents.
Iðunn Helgadóttir entered the tournament ranked seventh out of twelve in her division, and Guðrún Fanney Briem was third among her peers. Yet, their dedication paid off handsomely.
The dynamic duo agreed that they owe much of their success to their tireless efforts in prepping for each game. "Plenty of our triumphs came down to careful planning against particular opponents," Iðunn explained. "It's not just about skill – it's about knowing your opponents."
Guðrún Fanney Briem echoed these sentiments, attributing their achievements in part to their recent experiences at the Reykjavík Open.
Rising Stars of Icelandic Chess
At only young ages, Iðunn Helgadóttir and Guðrún Fanney Briem have already demonstrated their prowess in international competitions, representing the Icelandic women's national team in the Chess Olympiad.
"These girls are exceptional," Karlsson enthused, expressing admiration for their achievements at such young ages.
With their success at the Nordic Girls Championship, both players continue to make waves in the world of chess, creating a strong precedent for future generations of Icelandic players.
Building the Future of Chess
Guðrún Fanney Briem has been a driving force in Icelandic chess since her early years, capturing the attention of Morgunblaðið reporters at the age of nine. At that time, efforts to promote girls' chess were just gaining momentum.
Jóhanna Björg Jóhannsdóttir and Veronika Steinunn Magnúsdóttir, both former members of the Icelandic women's national team, took it upon themselves to introduce weekly training sessions focused on providing support and fostering a sense of community among girl players in the country.
Now, as Icelandic team members themselves, Iðunn Helgadóttir and Guðrún Fanney Briem serve as valuable role models for young players in the sport, setting impressive standards for those who follow in their footsteps.
The stunning performances of Iðunn Helgadóttir and Guðrún Fanney Briem at the Nordic Girls Chess Championship highlight their remarkable skills in the sport. Their dedication to preparation, evident in their meticulous game analysis, weighed heavily in their victories against higher-ranked opponents.
Guðrún Fanney Briem, at such a young age, has managed to captivate the attention of reporters and drive the growth of girls' chess in Iceland. Her efforts, along with those of Jóhanna Björg Jóhannsdóttir and Veronika Steinunn Magnúsdóttir, to create training sessions and foster a sense of community among girl chess players have set an impressive standard for future generations.
In an interview, Iðunn Helgadóttir, the youngest player in the under-20 category, agreed with Guðrún Fanney Briem that careful planning against particular opponents and knowing the strengths and weaknesses of opponents are essential to winning games, emphasizing that it's not only about skill but also about strategy.
