The final weekend of the Norwegian League

The final weekend of the Norwegian League will take place at Norway’s national football stadium Ullevål in Oslo this weekend with Carlsen’s club Offerspill in pole position to win its first title.

Going into the last three matches, Offerspill is on 12 points and has a one-point lead over Carlsen’s former teammates at Vålerenga, champions for five of the last six seasons. Oslo Schakselskap is another point behind on 10 points.

Carlsen’s three classical games will be against 2341-rated FM Levi Andre Tallksen (brother of Geir Sune Tallaksen Østmoe, who drew Carlsen in a club game last year), Norway’s #3 Jon Ludvig Hammer (2631) and none other than Champions Chess Tour commentator David Howell (2670).

The meeting with former teammate Howell will be of particular interest, with the two meeting for the first time in classical chess since the Norwegian won in the London Chess Classic in 2011.