With the second lounge of the year, the rhythm of the season is starting to settle in.
(Rating based on chess.com or fuzz-rating)
BEGINNERS:
0 – 999
CHALLENGERS:
1000 – 1599
EXPERTS:
1600 – 2199
The first number indicates the number of people, while the percentage shows the share of the total of 29 participants.
BEGINNERS
10 – 34 %
CHALLENGERS
12 – 41 %
EXPERTS
7 – 24 %
Newcomers
7 – 24 %
Students
8 – 28 %
Women
2 – 7 %
The second FUZZ BLITZ LOUNGE of the year confirmed something important: the format is settling in. The room feels more defined. The rhythm is clearer. The mix of focus, music and conversation is starting to become consistent.
And this time, the tournament delivered both control at the top — and genuine breakthroughs just below it.
Jesper Sira (1680) claimed clear first place with an impressive 7/8 score, gaining +43 rating points along the way.
After an opening walkover, he built momentum quickly — defeating Raven Lyngstad (1600), Lavrans Seierstad (1800), Kristian Mikkelsen (1032), Vidar Austlid (930), Fredrik Lunde (1569) and Eyolf Schelver (1718). Only in the final round did he stumble, losing to Emil Matias Nyheim (1730) — but by then the tournament was already secured.
Calm, structured and efficient from start to finish.
But when it came time to choose his prize, Jesper made a decision that stood out.
Instead of taking the 800 NOK first prize, he chose a FUZZSJAKK chess set.
A small moment — but one that said something about what this room is becoming.
The Performance of the Night
If there was one storyline that defined the evening, it was Vidar Austlid’s run.
Starting the tournament with a 930 rating, Vidar defeated Sigurd Bakheim (1375), Fredrik Lunde (1569), and Kristian Mikkelsen (1032) on his way to 6/8 points and a remarkable second place overall finish.
His +112 rating jump was the largest of the night.
This is exactly why the mixed-class format works. When Beginners and Experts share the same space, the hierarchy isn’t fixed. It moves.
Raven Lyngstad (1600) secured third place, also on 6 points, after important wins over Bjørn Bergset (1665), Ruben Lee Landrø Johnsen (1550), Fredrik Lunde (1569), and Sigurd Bakheim (1375). The top boards remained fluid deep into the final round.
Across the field, rating swings reflected real competitive pressure. Victoria Agdestein gained +93 rating points. Several Challengers found themselves fighting on higher tables than expected.
Movement. Growth. Friction.
The 3D Board Returns
The large 3D-printed chess board — first introduced at Chessrave — returned and quickly became a focal point again.
Used frequently throughout the evening, it created a parallel arena of team games, spectators stepping in, and playful chaos alongside the main tournament. It was as much a social magnet as a visual statement.
Before the rounds. During the breaks. After the final game.
It stayed active.
When The DJ Didn’t Show
Shortly before the tournament began, our scheduled DJ had to cancel due to illness.
So we adapted.
CEO Gary Andres Chinga stepped in.
With a newly acquired mixer and just a week of practice behind him, he took control of the booth and delivered a surprisingly cohesive organic house set that carried the room all evening.
It wasn’t planned.
But it worked.
And maybe that says something about this project — when something shifts, we don’t stop. We adjust.
FUZZ BLITZ LOUNGE returns at the end of next month at Trondheim Spektrum.
We’re not trying to be everything at once.
We’re building this one room at a time.
See you next round.
Jesper Sira has competed in nine FUZZSJAKK events since his debut in January 2025, where he finished 12th out of 63. His strongest result prior to this came in February 2025 at Jovial, finishing 2nd out of 65 players.
With 7/8 points, he now claims his first FUZZ BLITZ LOUNGE title — defeating multiple high-rated opponents along the way. When choosing his prize, he opted for a FUZZSJAKK chess set over the cash award, a true legend.
A well-earned victory.
Prize:
Chessboard set
Best Game: Round 3
Jesper Sira (1680) – Lavrans Seierstad (1800) — 1 – 0
One of the defining moments came in Round 3, when Jesper defeated the higher-rated Lavrans Seierstad (1800), setting the tone for the rest of the evening.
In only his second FUZZSJAKK appearance, Vidar Austlid delivered the breakthrough performance of the evening.
After finishing 34th out of 39 with 3/8 in January, he returned to claim 2nd place overall with 6/8 points and a remarkable +112 rating gain.
Representing Ila Sjakklubb, Vidar defeated several higher-rated opponents, including wins over Sigurd Bakheim (1375) and Fredrik Lunde (1569), earning his place at the top boards.
With Jesper choosing the FUZZSJAKK chess set, Vidar received the 800 NOK first-place award — in addition to the Best Beginner prize and a chess clock.
A massive step forward.
Prize:
800 NOK
Chess Clock (Best Beginner)
Best Game: Round 4
Vidar Austlid (930) – Fredrik Lunde (1569) — 1 – 0
A 639-point rating upset that marked the turning point of his tournament run.
Line Tangen finished with 5/8 points and secured the Best Female Player title with a composed and consistent performance throughout the evening.
Competing confidently across the middle tables, she closed the tournament strongly and remained in contention deep into the final rounds.
Prize:
Gift Card — Any Concert at Trondheim Spektrum (2026)
Best Game — Round 7
Line Tangen (1178) – Lars Heggen (1265) — 1–0
A well-earned win against a higher-rated opponent that helped solidify her standing.
Points out of a total of 8 possible