In Podcast Episode 277, I converse with Gunnar Bjornsson, President of the Icelandic Chess Federation. In addition to serving as the President of the Icelandic Chess Federation, Gunnar hosts the annual Reykjavik Open, which is coming up again, April 9-15, 2025. Furthermore, he is a Vice President of the European Chess Union. Our 131st Podcast Guest International Master Yaacov Norowitz earned one of his norms there in 2013. Gunnar also worked many years in financial services at Landsbanki.
We speak about his thoughts on the ongoing Olympiad, the World Corporate Chess Championships, where we met, the Icelandic Chess Culture, the legacy of the 1972 Fischer-Spassky World Championship Match, Queen's Gambit, streamers and more.