Icelandic chess teams prepare for Chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan

The Icelandic national chess teams are preparing for the Chess Olympiad, which will take place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from September 15 to 27.

Helgi Ólafsson will serve as the team captain for the open section, marking his 21st appearance at the event. The Icelandic open team is ranked 49th out of 193 nations and includes players such as Vignir Vatnar Stefánsson, Hilmir Freyr Heimisson, Jóhann Hjartarson, Hannes Hlífar Stefánsson, and Guðmundur Kjartansson. Hilmir Freyr Heimisson enters the tournament as the reigning Icelandic champion and an international master.

The women's team is ranked 84th out of 181 nations. The squad consists of Lenka Ptacnikova, Guðrún Fanney Briem, Hallgerður Helga Þorsteinsdóttir, Iðunn Helgadóttir, and Hrund Hauksdóttir, with Ingvar Þór Jóhannesson serving as team captain.

Hannes Hlífar Stefánsson, a veteran participant who has competed in the Olympiad since 1992, shared insights regarding his physical and mental preparation, which included running a half-marathon and training with the national team.