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
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
Magnus Carlsen. Photo: Rolf Haug
Veselin Topalov. Photo: Rolf Haug
A typical Veselin Topalov pose. Photo: Rolf Haug
Veselin Topalov. Photo: Rolf Haug
Magnus Carlsen enjoying himself in Stavanger this year, unlike last year. Photo: Rolf Haug
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave. Photo: Rolf Haug
Pavel Eljanov playing in Stavanger for the first time. Photo: Rolf Haug
Magnus in a thoughtful moment. Photo: Rolf Haug
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 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
Vladimr Kramnik. Photo: Rolf Haug
Li Chao. 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
Norwegian chess historian, chess shop owner, organizer and arbiter Øystein Brekke. 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
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
TV 2’s sports anchor Fin Gnatt, 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
Yours truly. Fiona Steil-Antoni in the background. 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
Something we’re very used to see: Levon smiling. Photo: Rolf Haug
Norway’s «top chess chief» and grandmaster Jonathan Tisdall. Photo: Rolf Haug
Vladimir Kramnik. Photo: Rolf Haug
