World's Longest Chess Marathon: Askild Bryn and Odin Blikra Vea

June 14, 2024

Stavanger, Norway--For more than two-and-a-half days, Askild Bryn (FIDE Blitz 2129) and CM Odin Blikra Vea (FIDE Blitz 2123) played a 383-game chess marathon in Stavanger, Norway that lasted a confirmed 61 hours, three minutes, and 34 seconds, thus setting the new world record for the World's Longest Chess Marathon, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.

"After an intense 61-hour blitz marathon, Norwegian chess enthusiasts Askild Bryn and CM Odin Blikra Vea have shattered the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ record for the Longest Chess Marathon," the chess.com says.

"In a stunning display of endurance and mental fortitude, and after playing a total of 383 five-minute blitz games, the record was officially confirmed at 10 p.m. local time in Stavanger, Norway.

"The new record for the Longest Chess Marathon is 61 hours, three minutes, and 34 seconds. Every single move of the match was streamed live by Chess.com."

"Bryn said: "I was never in doubt that Odin would say 'I give up, I don't want to do this any longer.' I think he felt the same about me. That helped us from the first hour. Last night was really tough, especially. We always said we would take one hour and one break at a time, now we're here 61 hours later," the chess.com says.

"Players were allowed five-minute breaks per hour, which they could accumulate for up to 30 minutes every six hours. Bryn and Blikra Vea used these opportunities for power-naps to sustain their marathon.

"Blikra Vea revealed that they felt confident about breaking the record after their last power nap on the final morning: "It was a lot harder than we thought, but if we are coming to the last day, we know we are not going to stop."

"Bryn (FIDE Blitz 2129) and Blikra Vea (FIDE Blitz 2123) are hosts of the popular Norwegian chess podcast Sjakksnakk ("Chess Chat"), where they've frequently had their close friend GM Magnus Carlsen as a guest.

"The former world champion regularly visited them throughout the attempt, as he did when the record was secured. "I am really proud of them. I honestly had my doubts if they were gonna make it, but they were always very serious about it and they prepared very well," Carlsen said.

"Carlsen expressed his admiration: "I am really impressed in their effort in trying to play well. I know this was the last game, but the last game was pretty good. So I think it was overall extremely impressive."

"For more than two-and-a-half days in 2024, Askild Bryn and CM Odin Blikra Vea played a 383-game chess marathon in Stavanger, Norway that lasted a confirmed 61 hours, three minutes, and 34 seconds," the chess.com says.

"Starting June 2 until June 4, Bryn and Vea were only allowed to take short breaks of five minutes per hour, up to 30 minutes at a time every six hours. GM Magnus Carlsen followed the record closely and shared a few words after it was set."

"The longest chess marathon is 61 hours, 03 minutes and 34 seconds and was achieved by Askild Bryn and Odin Blikra Vea (both Norway) in Stavanger, Norway, on 4 June 2024," the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS says.

"Askild Bryn and Odin Blikra Vea earn a place in history after playing chess for 61 hours, 03 minutes, and 34 seconds.

"In a stunning display of endurance and mental fortitude, and after playing a total of 383 five-minute blitz games, the record was officially confirmed at 10 p.m. local time in Stavanger, Norway."

Photos: World's Longest Chess Marathon: Askild Bryn and Odin Blikra Vea

(1-4) Chess.com