One the most promising Norwegian players is Odd Martin Guttulsrud (15), who recently won the Norwegian U16 Championship. He also made an excellent result in the open international Politiken Cup in Denmark this summer, and his ELO is close to 2100.

Congratulations on your win in the Norwegian Championship! Please tell us a little bit about your development as a chess player.

- I started playing at school in Oslo in the third grade. My first teachers were Finn Møller and Johs R. Kjeken. I have played a lot since then, and I also learn chess by reading books, watching DVDs, and through my trainer IM Torbjørn R. Hansen. I also play in my chess club SK 1911 every Monday and Wednesday.

Odd Martin Guttulsrud, the Norwegian U16 Champion

What are your goals for the future?

- My first goal is to be selected to play the World or European Youth Championships next year. I have never had the opportunity to play such tournaments before. I also hope to qualify for the top group in the Norwegian Championship within a couple of years. In the longer term I would like to become a Grandmaster. Perhaps a goal could also be to make the Norwegian team in the Tromsø 2014 Olympiad!

Who do you think will play for the Norwegian team in 2014?

- Magnus Carlsen of course, and some other young talents, probably GM Jon Ludvig Hammer (19) and perhaps FM Frode Urkedal (16). The last two on the team could be GM Simen Agdestein and hopefully myself. I guess I have to work even harder in the future in order to make the team!

In addition to the ones you have already mentioned, are there other Norwegian talents you think will do especially well in the future?

- There are lots of talented young Norwegians now. Some of the greatest talents are Peter Flermoen (13), Aryan Tari (10), and Katrine Tjølsen (16).

What are your thoughts on an Olympiad in Tromsø?

- I have been to Tromsø twice and it is a really nice city. I think it would be extra fun to play in the Olympiad if it were held there!