Photo Credit: Sven-Erik Knoff | fotoknoff.no

And the Question Everyone’s Asking: Will the Lewis Chess Legends Return?

Written by Torbjørn Dahl

When the last pieces were packed away and the great hall of the Archbishop’s Palace fell silent again, one feeling lingered in the air — this must not be the end.

The Lewis Chess Legends 2024 was more than a chess tournament. It was a Nordic Championship, a cultural celebration, and a gathering of kings and queens of the chess world. For one unforgettable week in August, Trondheim became the chess capital of the North.

Players, guests, and legends from across the globe gathered beneath the vaulted ceilings of the Archbishop’s Palace beside Nidaros Cathedral — a venue so unique that even grandmasters stopped mid-game to take in the surroundings.

There was something cinematic about it — the contrast between medieval stone and modern minds, where grandmasters and prodigies competed beneath arches that have witnessed centuries of history.

Where History Meets the Game

Hosting a chess event in the very courtyard where Norway’s history was written — and just steps from where the Lewis Chess Pieces trace their origins — created a resonance that few places on earth could match.

In 2025, these world-famous medieval chess pieces even returned to Trondheim, exhibited at the NTNU University Museum. Their presence reminded everyone how deep the cultural roots of chess run here — and how naturally the Lewis Chess Legends connect past and present.

This connection is what makes Trondheim not just a host city, but the rightful home of the Lewis Chess Legends.

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A Tradition Waiting to Be Born

After the 2024 edition, one question echoed through the chess world: Can it happen again?
The dream now is not merely to repeat it — but to make it a tradition.

Imagine Trondheim hosting the Lewis Chess Legends three years in a row — a living festival that grows each season, bringing together world-class players, families, and visitors from every corner of the globe. A week where the Archbishop’s Palace becomes a meeting point for art, history, education, and sport.

Such an ambition deserves to grow — with partners, institutions, and sponsors who see the value in uniting cultural heritage and world-class competition.
With the right support, the next edition could feature even greater profiles, more international participation, and a global spotlight on Trondheim.

This is the moment to decide whether that story continues — or fades into memory.
And it must be decided soon. By January 2026, we will know if the foundations are strong enough to make it real.

The Spirit of 2024

The first edition proved what’s possible when vision meets dedication.
Organizers, volunteers, and partners worked side by side to create something extraordinary — a tournament that merged Norwegian heritage with a global stage.

The feedback was overwhelming.
Players, guests, and viewers around the world said the same thing:

““We want to come back.””

The stage is still there. The dream is alive. What’s needed now are those who dare to help write the next chapter — and make sure Trondheim once again shines as the chess capital of the North.

Perhaps the Legends Will Return

The pieces may yet return to the Archbishop’s Palace — if the will and support are there to make it happen.
Everything that matters is already here: the history, the venue, the players, and the passion.
What remains is the commitment to let it grow — to give Trondheim the tradition it deserves.

The Lewis Chess Legends proved what’s possible when culture and competition meet under one roof.
Now, the question is simple: will we let it end, or help it become something extraordinary?
Relive the 2024 edition →

Written by FA Torbjørn Dahl
Organizer, Hell Chess Club
t76dahl@gmail.com
+47 982 09 370