Nicolai Ostensen Wins Maia Chess Open 2026 Masters

Norway's FM Nicolai Maxime Ostensen won the Maia Chess Open 2026 Masters in Portugal with 7.5/9, half a point ahead of Tim Janzelj.

Norwegian FM Nicolai Maxime Ostensen has won the Masters section of the Maia Chess Open 2026 in Portugal. Ostensen, who is under 18, scored 7.5 points from 9 games and finished half a point ahead of Slovenian IM Tim Janzelj.

The Maia Masters was a 9-round Swiss at a classical time control. It brought together grandmasters, international masters and many ambitious young players.

Ostensen's decisive win came in round 8, when he beat FM Daniel Romero Pallares in the King's Indian Defense. In the final round, playing White, he drew with IM Arthur De Winter in 32 moves to make sure of first place.

Janzelj finished second on 7 points after a sharp round 8 win against IM Bruno Andre Leite Martins of Portugal. Another young Norwegian, FM Havard Haug, who is under 16, was among the players on 6.5 points, along with FM Alexander Domene Mulyukov of Spain, Martins and IM Georgios Gkoumas of Greece.

It was a great week for young Norwegian players, with two of them finishing near the top. Norway has produced many strong young players in recent years, and events like this one show the depth of talent coming through.

Ostensen's win is a reminder that titles and ratings do not decide tournaments. He started as the eighth seed and finished ahead of grandmasters and international masters by playing consistently strong chess for nine rounds.

For young players, open tournaments abroad offer wonderful experience. You play against opponents with different styles, you learn to handle new situations, and you grow in confidence. If you get the chance to play an international open, take it, and focus on learning from every game rather than worrying about results.

Congratulations to Nicolai Ostensen on his victory in Maia.