Remembering Fridrik Olafsson, Chess Grandmaster and Former FIDE President
Fridrik Olafsson, a pivotal figure in Icelandic chess history, has passed away at the age of 90. Iceland`s first Grandmaster and the fourth President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), Olafsson served as FIDE President from 1978 to 1982. Throughout his distinguished career, he was a six-time national champion of Iceland and a two-time Nordic Chess Champion.
Born in Reykjavik on January 26, 1935, Olafsson was introduced to chess at the age of eight by his father. His talent quickly became apparent, and at just 17 years old, he secured his first Icelandic national championship in 1952. This victory marked the beginning of his national dominance, with further titles in 1953, 1957, 1961, 1962, and 1969. In 1953, he also claimed the Scandinavian Championship and earned a bronze medal at the World Junior Championship, signaling his rising international profile.
Olafsson`s international breakthrough came at the Hastings Chess Congress in 1955-56. He shared first place with the renowned Viktor Korchnoi in this prestigious tournament. Adding a colorful anecdote to his early career, Olafsson`s late arrival at Hastings and lack of hotel booking led to his first night being spent in a police station cell, arranged by a kind police officer.
His strong performances qualified him for the 1958-60 World Championship cycle. A joint 5th place finish at the Portorož Interzonal tournament earned him the Grandmaster title, a historic achievement making him the first Grandmaster from Iceland. This success also secured him a spot in the 1959 Candidates Tournament.
The 1959 Candidates Tournament represented the pinnacle of his playing career. Competing against the world`s best, Olafsson demonstrated his exceptional skill by defeating future World Champions Bobby Fischer, Tigran Petrosian, and Mikhail Tal twice each. This period solidified his position among the chess elite. Notably, at the 1959 Candidates tournament in Yugoslavia, he triumphed over Tigran Petrosian before an enthusiastic crowd of 5,000 spectators. Chess historian Harry Golombek recounted that the celebrating crowd carried Olafsson on their shoulders after this victory.
In 1976, Olafsson again demonstrated his enduring strength by sharing first place at the Wijk aan Zee tournament with Ljubomir Ljubojevic. He had previously been a runner-up at the same event in 1971, tying for second place with Svetozar Gligoric, Tigran Petrosian, and Borislav Ivkov. Olafsson proudly represented Iceland in eight Chess Olympiads between 1952 and 1980.
An unusual highlight occurred in 1980 while Olafsson was serving as FIDE President. He achieved a victory against reigning World Champion Anatoly Karpov at the Clarin Tournament in Buenos Aires. This win gained him entry into the exclusive “Mikhail Chigorin Club,” a group of players who defeated a sitting world champion without ever becoming one themselves.
While the World Chess Championship title eluded him as a player, Fridrik Olafsson reached the top of the chess world in a different capacity, as President of FIDE. He was elected as the fourth FIDE President at the 1978 Congress in Buenos Aires, succeeding Max Euwe, after winning against Narciso Rabell Mendez and Svetozar Gligorić.
During his FIDE presidency, Olafsson focused on increasing commercial sponsorships for the organization and fostering improved relations between the Soviet chess world and the rest of the global chess community. He also presided over the controversial 1981 World Championship match between Viktor Korchnoi and Anatoly Karpov.
Olafsson`s term as FIDE President concluded in 1982 when he was succeeded by Florencio Campomanes in the elections.
Beyond his chess achievements, Olafsson had a distinguished professional life in law. Prior to his FIDE presidency, he worked at the Icelandic Ministry of Justice. Following his FIDE service, he held the position of Secretary-General of the Icelandic Parliament.
In January of this year, Olafsson celebrated his 90th birthday, an event attended by current FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich.
Fridrik Olafsson`s legacy is secure as the figure who placed Iceland firmly on the international chess stage, even before the historic 1972 Fischer-Spassky match, and for his contributions to the growth and development of FIDE during a critical period in chess history.
Gideon Holt 
Elton Marrow