About Total Chess
A groundbreaking FIDE-approved format, founded and developed by Norway Chess. The Total Chess World Championship Tour brings together the best players across three disciplines to crown the FIDE World Combined Champion.
A Concept by Norway Chess
The championship is developed, owned and operated by Norway Chess, the organization behind one of the world's most innovative elite tournaments with the same name.
By introducing the Armageddon format after draw, the confessional booth, Norway Chess Games, and developing the Game Theory Corner, Norway Chess has changed the way chess is played, experienced, and broadcast to the world.
This new initiative aims at transforming how the world's best compete for the most versatile title in chess. The tour will officially launch in Q1 of 2027.
Three Disciplines. One Crown.
The structure combines Fast Classic, Rapid, and Blitz in one global tour — with events held across four cities and qualification through both ranking and competition.
45 min + 30s
Fast Classic
The strategic depth of classical chess, reimagined for modern audiences. Games finish in roughly two hours.
15 min + 10s
Rapid
Quick thinking meets deep preparation. A test of intuition, pattern recognition, and speed.
3 min + 2s
Blitz
Pure instinct under extreme pressure. Every second counts in the fastest discipline.
The Team
The people behind the Total Chess World Championship Tour
CEO
Kjell Madland
Founder of Norway Chess and the Total Chess World Championship Tour.
COO
Benedicte Westre Skog
Leading operations and strategy for Norway Chess and the Total Chess World Championship Tour.
CFO
Anja Munro
Overseeing financial strategy and operations for the Total Chess World Championship Tour.
Marketing Manager
Dea Maioli Egeli
Leads marketing and communications, shaping the brand, campaigns, and digital presence.
Commercial Manager
Christian Thomassen
Developing commercial partnerships and sponsorship opportunities for the tour.
Event Manager
Laura García-Capelo González
Planning and executing world-class chess events across the globe.
Social Media Manager
Niki Riga
Manages Total Chess's social media presence, creating content and building the community across digital platforms.
Event and Administrative Coordinator
Tímea Arus-Jerovszky
Coordinating logistics and administration for tournaments and operations.
CTO
Roy-André Tollefsen
Leading technology, digital platforms, and innovation for the Total Chess World Championship Tour.
Board of Directors
Chairman
Roy-André Tollefsen
Chairman of the Board.
Board Member
Kjell Madland
CEO and Board Member.
Board Member
Benedicte Westre Skog
COO and Board Member.
Board Member
Fred Karlsen
Board Member.
Advisory Board
Chair
James Altucher
Chair of the Advisory Board. Entrepreneur, author, and chess enthusiast.
Member
Morten Borge
Member of the Advisory Board. CEO at FERD.
Member
Dirk Jan ten Geuzendam
Member of the Advisory Board. Renowned chess journalist and editor-in-chief of New In Chess.
Partner with Us
Be part of the next chapter in world chess. We're actively engaging sponsors, investors, host cities, and media partners for the 2026 pilot and the inaugural 2027 season.