«Possibly the best chess photos ever»

Chao Li, Magnus Carlsen and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave. Photo: Rolf HaugChao Li, Magnus Carlsen and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave. Photo: Rolf Haug

Stunning chess photos from Norwegian photographer Rolf Haug.

by Tarjei J. Svensen

Matt & Patt’s own photographer Rolf Haug is a chess enthusiast with an ELO of around 1600. He’s also a car salesman and a former Norwegian heavyweight boxing champion.

Rolf Haug

Rolf Haug

In addition to his involvement in taking pictures for the Norwegian Boxing Federation, he has taken exclusive chess photos for mattogpatt.no in the last few months.

Now Rolf intends to develop his chess photography career capturing moments in the major tournaments.

His first step has been taken by appearing in Altibox Norway Chess this year.

The result of his two days in Stavanger can be seen on Matt & Patt.

Rolf is not at all shy about the quality of his work:

These pictures, as a whole, are possibly the best chess pictures ever. For me it’s about delivering on the highest level all the way.

As these words are written, Rolf has informed us of an investment in what is supposed to be the best camera in the world worth around 19,000 euro.

Photography is an art. Anyone can be a photographer, but to master it fully takes time and experience. But if there’s anyone we can say that truly masters it, it is Rolf.

Do you agree?

Li Chao. Photo: Rolf Haug

Li Chao. Photo: Rolf Haug

Li Chao. Photo: Rolf Haug

Li Chao. Photo: Rolf Haug

Magnus Carlsen. Photo: Rolf Haug

Magnus Carlsen. Photo: Rolf Haug

Veselin Topalov. Photo: Rolf Haug

Veselin Topalov. Photo: Rolf Haug

A typical Veselin Topalov pose. Photo: Rolf Haug

A typical Veselin Topalov pose. Photo: Rolf Haug

Veselin Topalov. Photo: Rolf Haug

Veselin Topalov. Photo: Rolf Haug

Magnus Carlsen enjoying himself in Stavanger this year, unlike last year. Photo: Rolf Haug

Magnus Carlsen enjoying himself in Stavanger this year, unlike last year. Photo: Rolf Haug

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave. Photo: Rolf Haug

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave. Photo: Rolf Haug

Pavel Eljanov playing in Stavanger for the first time. Photo: Rolf Haug

Pavel Eljanov playing in Stavanger for the first time. Photo: Rolf Haug

Magnus in a thoughtful moment. Photo: Rolf Haug

Magnus in a thoughtful moment. Photo: Rolf Haug

Magnus Carlsen. Photo: Rolf Haug

Magnus Carlsen. Photo: Rolf Haug

Can Anish Giri remain undefeated vs Magnus Carlsen? Photo: Rolf Haug

Can Anish Giri remain undefeated vs Magnus Carlsen? Photo: Rolf Haug

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, world number 5. Photo: Rolf Haug

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, world number 5. Photo: Rolf Haug

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave ready to shake hands. Or? Photo: Rolf Haug

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave ready to shake hands. Or? Photo: Rolf Haug

Pentala Harikrishna got a rough start in Stavanger losing vs Magnus Carlsen with black. Photo: Rolf Haug

Pentala Harikrishna got a rough start in Stavanger losing vs Magnus Carlsen with black. Photo: Rolf Haug

Vladimr Kramnik. Photo: Rolf Haug

Vladimr Kramnik. Photo: Rolf Haug

Li Chao. Photo: Rolf Haug

Li Chao. Photo: Rolf Haug

Veselin Topalov. Photo: Rolf Haug

Veselin Topalov. Photo: Rolf Haug

Levon Aronian will hopefully get a boost by getting his fiancé Arianne Caoili to Stavanger on Friday. Photo: Rolf Haug

Levon Aronian will hopefully get a boost by getting his fiancé Arianne Caoili to Stavanger on Friday. Photo: Rolf Haug

Norwegian chess historian, chess shop owner, organizer and arbiter Øystein Brekke. Photo: Rolf Haug

Norwegian chess historian, chess shop owner, organizer and arbiter Øystein Brekke. Photo: Rolf Haug

Norway's number two, Jon Ludvig Hammer. Photo: Rolf Haug

Norway’s number two, Jon Ludvig Hammer. Photo: Rolf Haug

Jøran Aulin-Jansson, previous president of the Norwegian Chess Federation, now just a board member of the Norway Chess tournament. Photo: Rolf Haug

Jøran Aulin-Jansson, previous president of the Norwegian Chess Federation, now just a board member of the Norway Chess tournament. Photo: Rolf Haug

Magnus Carlsen's sister Ellen in Stavanger supporting her brother, and commenting for TV 2. Photo: Rolf Haug

Magnus Carlsen’s sister Ellen in Stavanger supporting her brother, and commenting for TV 2. Photo: Rolf Haug

Norway's top arbiter Karl Johan Rist, is also the lead arbiter in Stavanger. Photo: Rolf Haug

Norway’s top arbiter Karl Johan Rist, is also the lead arbiter in Stavanger. Photo: Rolf Haug

TV 2's sports anchor Fin Gnatt, Photo: Rolf Haug

TV 2’s sports anchor Fin Gnatt, Photo: Rolf Haug

Chess commentator, writer, organizer and arbiter Hans Olav Lahlum. Photo: Rolf Haug

Chess commentator, writer, organizer and arbiter Hans Olav Lahlum. Photo: Rolf Haug

Yerazik Khachatourian, a former national team player for Iran and Norway, is taking photos for Matt & Patt. Photo: Rolf Haug

Yerazik Khachatourian, a former national team player for Iran and Norway, is taking photos for Matt & Patt. Photo: Rolf Haug

Yerazik Khachatourian, a former national team player for Iran and Norway, is taking photos for Matt & Patt. Photo: Rolf Haug

Yerazik Khachatourian, a former national team player for Iran and Norway, is taking photos for Matt & Patt. Photo: Rolf Haug

Yours truly. Fiona Steil-Antoni in the background. Photo: Rolf Haug

Yours truly. Fiona Steil-Antoni in the background. Photo: Rolf Haug

Pentala Harikrishna on his way to work. Photo: Rolf Haug

Pentala Harikrishna on his way to work. Photo: Rolf Haug

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave in a good mood before the game. Photo: Rolf Haug

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave in a good mood before the game. Photo: Rolf Haug

Something we're very used to see: Levon smiling. Photo: Rolf Haug

Something we’re very used to see: Levon smiling. Photo: Rolf Haug

Norway's "top chess chief" and grandmaster Jonathan Tisdall. Photo: Rolf Haug

Norway’s «top chess chief» and grandmaster Jonathan Tisdall. Photo: Rolf Haug

Vladimir Kramnik. Photo: Rolf Haug

Vladimir Kramnik. Photo: Rolf Haug

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(Besøkt 4 112 ganger, 1 besøk i dag)