Innovation thy name is Norway Chess.

Over the years, the prestigious chess tournament has been at the forefront of innovations in an effort to make the game exciting for the players and audience.

Among the novel concepts introduced was the new time control — two hours per player without increment; plus a 10-second increment per move after move 40 — to usher in a faster and more dynamic rhythm to the classical games and the Armageddon playoff.

That apart, the ‘confessional booth’ — an area where one can step away during a game to share thoughts — has been a hit with the players over the years.

Among the Indians, Grandmaster Divya Deshmukh has embraced it in the ongoing edition here.

Kjell Madland, founder, CEO and tournament director of Norway Chess, takes pride in the changes, which he believes have enhanced spectator experience. “I’m trying to find out the best way to develop chess for viewers and players,” he said.

According to Madland, the increasing number of draws in the classical format, which made it boring for the spectators, led to him thinking about changing time controls and the introduction of Armageddon.

Madland is also the man behind the Total Chess World Championship Tour. It will be launched next year and will unite fast classic, rapid, and blitz chess in a single competitive journey spanning multiple cities and continents.