In June, the Norwegian Chess Federation announced that Simen Agdestein is not running for re-election as president of the federation. Agdestein was elected as the new president as late as last year, but after one year in the role, he had apparently had enough. At the same time, the nomination committee in the association had nominated Joachim Nilsen as the new chess president. Several members of the nomination committee told news that Agdestein would not join further, and that they therefore had to look for other alternatives. That makes Agdestein react. The 55-year-old claims that he was not wanted in the role of president. – I was ready to make an effort further, yes. There is a lot of work that you do not get paid for, but I was prepared to stand in it further. But the election committee meant something else, he says to news. – So what they say is wrong? – That’s wrong, yes. But I could have fought and run for re-election. I chose not to do so when the nomination committee had a different recommendation. READY: Agdestein says he was surprised when he received the alleged message that he was unwanted as president. The union believes that he was welcome to run for re-election. Photo: Fredrik Hagen / NTB – Be very clear The chess profile claims to have been informed that he was unwanted at a meeting with the election committee’s leader Tallak Nærland in early June. Agdestein believes he was given a vague justification, without wanting to go into detail on what was said. – I think we have a slightly different perception of reality, he answers briefly. Agdestein was elected president during the chess congress last summer and says that he was prepared to continue in the post. – It is a kind of mistrust when you are not nominated. I do not know more details about what lies behind. Simen Agdestein Simen Agdestein b. 15 May 1967. Became Norwegian champion for the first time in 1982, as a 15-year-old. Has won the National Championships a number of times. Beat Boris Spassky in a match in 1983. Was named international champion in 1983. 2nd place in the junior WC in 1984. Was named Grand Champion (GM) in 1985 (then the youngest in the world). In June 1989 was ranked No. 16 in the world. Has later won several international tournaments, including Loyds Bank Masters 1986, Reykjavik International Open 1996, Capelle la Grande 1999, Monarch Assuranche on the Isle of Man 2003. Was president of the Norwegian Chess Federation between 2021-2022. Nærland, for his part, is aware that the 55-year-old was welcome, if he had wanted to. According to the election committee leader, Agdestein received a lot of praise for his presidential work in the conversation the two had, but adds: – At the same time, he also received concrete feedback for what has not worked with him as president. The details here will Agdestein himself illuminate if he wants it. COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN: Nærland confirms that Agdestein and he had a long conversation on the phone about his future as chess president. Photo: Private – Simen probably experienced it as criticism, even though the positive was also highlighted. Then I told him that it was up to him if he wanted to run as a presidential candidate again, but that we had a candidate ready if he did not run, he continues. – It was very clear Nærland says that it was also conveyed that they did not have anyone who wanted to run against him, but that they had a potential candidate if Agdestein did not choose to run for re-election. – He perceived the feedback as vague and that you had different perceptions of reality. What do you think he puts in it? – Now I’m not in Simen’s head. He probably disagreed with the content of the feedback which was not positive. – If he experiences it as mistrust, it does not completely rhyme with how it was served. But of course it is tough to get negative feedback and, the committee leader continues. The feedback from Agdestein was then clear, according to Nærland. – He replied that it was then not natural to ask. It’s a bit about owning that process yourself. It is up to you, you control the process. We did not have a counter-candidate who wanted to run. He was also informed of this. Nærland is supported by nomination committee member Truls Jørgensen, who says that the nomination committee’s communication with Agdestein concluded that he did not choose to stand for election as presidential candidate. If he had chosen to run, the nomination committee would have nominated him, Jørgensen points out. – The nomination committee has been quite clear that we have not intended to reject Simen Agdestein, but that he himself had to consider whether he was a candidate or not. RAISED HEAD: Agdestein works daily as a chess coach at Norges Toppidrettsgymnas and he says in that role he realizes many of his ambitions for chess. Photo: Fredrik Hagen / NTB – Not appreciated Agdestein was surprised when he received the feedback, but points out that he has no sour mines and that it is a certain relief to leave the post. Nevertheless, he is still left with some unanswered questions. – First, I wondered a bit what they were thinking. Then I thought of something the king once said, namely that if they want me it’s okay and if they do not want it, then it’s okay too. – But it is annoying that things are not seen and appreciated. I have spent a lot of time and energy on this and I think I have done some important things, the chess profile continues. – Do you feel that the cooperation with the board worked well during your time as president? – Well. The most important thing is that we have a good administration, and I think we have that now. They are the ones who show up every day and handle the ongoing tasks. The nomination committee has now nominated Joachim Nilsen as the new president of the Norwegian Chess Association. Nilsen has previously been Chairman of the Board of the youth chess association and worked closely with Agdestein. NEW PRESIDENT: Joachim Nilsen (right) will be the new president of the Norwegian Chess Federation after all the sun marks. Photo: Torstein Sørheim Bjørkås / news – My primary wish is for the chess association to function properly. I think that will be the case with Joachim as President and the new Secretary-General and those now in office. It can be very good, says the abdicating president. The final presidential decision will be made on Sunday 10 July during the Norwegian Chess Federation’s 104th Congress in Kongsvinger.
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