Jóhann Hjar­tar­son is Iceland­ic Rap­id Chess Cham­pi­on

Grandmaster Jóhann Hjartarson was the clear winner at Landsbankinn’s Friðriksmót, the Icelandic rapid chess tournament, held at the Bank’s headquarters at Reykjastræti 6 on 7 December 2025. Jóhann was unstoppable and won with a score of 11½ out of 13, an incredible margin in a strong and exciting tournament.

Lilja Björk Einarsdóttir, CEO of Landsbankinn, opened the tournament and made the ceremonial first move for Vignir Vatnar. 

Most of the nation’s strongest chess players were in attendance, including Grandmasters Vignir Vatnar Stefánsson, Helgi Áss Grétarsson, Hannes Hlífar Stefánsson, Helgi Ólafsson, Jóhann Hjartarson, Bragi Thorfinnsson, Thröstur Thórhallsson and Lenka Ptácníková, Woman Grandmaster. Several other titleholders and national team members were also in attendance. Participants numbered over 80 and the tournament was arranged in 13 rounds with 3+2 time control.

1. Jóhann Hjartarson ISK 160,000
2. Vignir Vatnar Stefánsson ISK 100,000
3. Hannes Hlífar Stefánsson ISK 80,000
4. Björn Thorfinnsson ISK 50,000
5. Thröstur Thórhallsson ISK 30,000

• Bárður Örn Birkisson – Performance award 2000+ (results relative to own ratings) – ISK 25,000
• Stefán Orri Davíðsson – Performance award 1700-1999 (results relative to own ratings) ISK 25,000
• Tristan Fannar Jónsson – Performance award u1700 (results relative to own ratings) – ISK 25,000
• Jóhanna Björg Jóhannsdóttir – Women’s Award – ISK 25,000 

Further information on the results