Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
Erling Haaland, the Manchester City and Norway striker whose goals have made him one of football's most feared finishers, is turning his sharp tactical mind to the chessboard.
The global superstar has become a significant investor in Norway Chess, the innovative force behind elite chess events, by co-founding the company Chess Mates alongside Norwegian business leader Morten Borge.
The move positions Chess Mates as a major owner of Norway Chess and signals Haaland's ambition to raise the profile of the sport.
"Chess is an incredible game. It sharpens your mind, and there are clear similarities to football. You have to think quickly, trust your instincts, and think several moves ahead. Strategy and planning are everything," said Haaland.
"Chess is ultimately about strategy and long-term thinking," said Borge. "Those are qualities that also define both elite sport and the ability to make sound investments over time. In many ways, chess sits right at the intersection of the worlds Erling and I come from. I've even promised to give Erling a bit of chess training!"
With millions of fans worldwide drawn to Haaland's explosive talent on the pitch, the 25-year-old icon brings unparalleled reach and star power to the ancient game. His involvement is set to inject fresh energy and attract broader audiences to chess, bridging the worlds of high-octane football and mind games.
It is a timely move for Norway Chess who are in the process of setting up the Total Chess World Championship Tour as a bold evolution for the sport.
The proposed Championship Tour will feature the world's top players in four tournaments each year, hosted across different cities, and culminating in a combined world champion crowned across three disciplines: Fast Classic, Rapid, and Blitz chess.
The new format has received approval from the International Chess Federation (FIDE) for a minimum 16-year run. A pilot event is scheduled for autumn 2026, with the inaugural full season following in 2027. Each season will include four tournaments and guarantee a minimum annual prize pool of $2.7 million.
"I'm investing in Norway Chess because I believe the new Total Chess World Championship Tour can turn chess into an even bigger sport for spectators around the world. The team behind Norway Chess has already done an impressive job growing the event, and joining the project was too exciting to pass up," said Haaland.
Kjell Madland, CEO of Norway Chess and Total Chess, hailed Haaland's commitment as a long-term strategic partnership that underscores the tour's commercial promise.
"We expect the new championship to become one of the most prestigious events in the global chess calendar. The fact that Erling is joining us as an investor says a great deal about the commercial potential of this tour. Erling has an enormous global following and is truly world class when it comes to creating magical sporting moments.
"I am absolutely certain he will bring tremendous value to Total Chess, help generate increased interest in the fascinating world of chess, and attract new audiences. He has already contributed with several great ideas. With Erling on board, we are now entering the final phase of finding host cities for the first tour," says Madland.
