Power Solutions Arctic Chess NGP 2026
Chess enthusiasts can experience the Power Solutions Arctic Chess NGP 2026 from February 18-22, 2026 in Alta, Norway, where Alta Chess Club hosts a seven-round FIDE-rated open at UiT Campus Alta. The event brings players to the Arctic Circle for serious classical games with a generous prize structure across three rating groups, all played on a modern university campus with professional playing conditions and extensive live broadcasting.
Alongside the main tournament, participants can enjoy a rich social program that includes an excursion to Sorrisniva Arctic Wilderness Lodge, snowmobile tours, a visit to the ice hotel, and an evening with local fish soup and social activities. Organizers also plan high-quality online coverage with Clono-based digital boards, Lichess broadcasts, and daily streaming provided by media partners.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | February 18–22, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | UiT Campus Alta, Alta, Norway |
| ♟️ Format | Individual 7-round FIDE Dutch Swiss |
| ⏱️ Time control | 90 minutes for the entire game + 30 seconds increment per move from move one |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE-rated; part of the Norwegian Grand Prix (NGP) |
| 📂 Sections | Group A (over 1800); Group B (1600–1799); Group C (under 1600) |
| 💳 Entry fee | Adults 700 NOK; Juniors 400 NOK (up to the year they turn 20); GM, IM, WGM, WIM free |
| 🧩 Organizer notes | Players may request to play in a higher group; Groups B and C may merge depending on participation levels |
🏆 Prize Fund
Prizes apply per group and are valid with at least 60 total participants. Tied players share prizes equally.
Group A (over 1800):
| Place | Prize (NOK) |
|---|---|
| 1st | 5,000 |
| 2nd | 3,000 |
| 3rd | 2,000 |
Group B (1600–1799):
| Place | Prize (NOK) |
|---|---|
| 1st | 2,000 |
| 2nd | 1,500 |
| 3rd | 1,000 |
Group C (under 1600):
| Place | Prize (NOK) |
|---|---|
| 1st | 1,500 |
| 2nd | 1,000 |
| 3rd | 500 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The tournament uses a 90-minute base time with a 30-second increment from the first move. All sections follow a 7-round FIDE Dutch Swiss system.
The default time is 30 minutes after the scheduled start; late arrivals lose by forfeit. Standings follow tiebreak methods in this order: direct encounter, FIDE Buchholz with one discard, FIDE Buchholz without discard, and number of wins.
Organizers provide full live coverage through Clono digital boards and online broadcasts.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Rating / target group | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Group A | Over 1800 | Main open group with top-level prizes |
| Group B | 1600–1799 | Middle-rated group; may merge with Group C if entries are low |
| Group C | Under 1600 | Entry-level group; players may apply to move up a group |
📅 Schedule
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 18, 2026 | Wednesday | 19:00 | Round 1 |
| February 19, 2026 | Thursday | 10:00 | Round 2 |
| February 19, 2026 | Thursday | 16:00 | Round 3 |
| February 20, 2026 | Friday | 10:00 | Round 4 |
| February 20, 2026 | Friday | 16:00 | Round 5 |
| February 21, 2026 | Saturday | 09:00 | Round 6 |
| February 22, 2026 | Sunday | 10:00 | Round 7 |
Organizers hold the Saturday round early to allow time for the Sorrisniva excursion later in the day.
📝 Registration
Players register through the official TournamentService form. Standard entry fees are 700 NOK for adults and 400 NOK for juniors. GM, IM, WGM, and WIM players receive free entry.
Registration closes on February 17 at 23:59. Players who wish to join Sorrisniva activities must email the activity coordinator at least 30 days before the event and pay upon registration of the chosen package.
👥 Organizer
Alta Chess Club organizes the event and manages the main tournament, live transmissions, and the social program.
• Tournament Director: Rune Hammari
• Email: rune@hammari.com
• Chief Arbiter: IA Karl-Johan Rist
• Arbiters: NA Kjartan Austad, NA Sindre Ratama
Official event page: https://tournamentservice.com/invitation.aspx
🏨 Venue
The tournament takes place at UiT Campus Alta, part of the Arctic University of Norway. The venue offers modern playing halls equipped with Clono tablets for live game broadcasting, spectator seating, and analysis space. The Arctic location creates a distinctive northern-lights ambiance for the tournament.
🛎️ Accommodation
Thon Hotel Alta provides special rates for tournament participants:
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Hotel | Thon Hotel Alta |
| Single room | 995 NOK per night |
| Double room | 1,095 NOK per night |
| Booking | Email alta@olavthon.no or call +47 78 49 40 00 with booking code 180225ALTA |
If these rooms fill up, players may use a general national chess federation hotel agreement, typically starting from around 1,745 NOK per night. Early booking of both hotel and flights is strongly recommended due to high travel demand in February.
🚗 How to Get There
Alta is accessible via domestic flights to Alta Airport and through regional road connections. From Thon Hotel Alta and the city center, the walk to UiT Campus Alta takes only a few minutes. Taxis and local buses connect the airport, central hotels, and the playing venue.
Players can enjoy a memorable Arctic chess experience combining high-level competition, professional live broadcasting, and unique winter activities under the northern lights.
🧾 Other
• Organizers broadcast at least 60 boards live using Clono and Lichess.
• Daily streaming covers 1–2 hours of the tournament each afternoon.
• The Saturday Sorrisniva program offers optional excursions including snowmobile tours, ice hotel visits, and local meals.