Ellen Fredericia Nilssen

How did you start to play chess?
Both my parents and my mother’s husband are chess players, so there was never really any doubt that I would play too. However, I first began enjoying the game when I became older and my mother convinced me to go to the local chess club.

What age, which year?
I was 10 years old when I visited the local chess club for the first time and not much later I played my first tournament.

What is your best achievement in chess so far, and when?
My greatest achievement must have been when I played my first Chess Olympiad in Batumi 2018. I played board four and became the highest scorer on the team being only ½ point away from my first WIM-norm.

What is your target in chess?
I don’t set rating or title goals. For me, the most important part is that I keep learning and improving. If I do that then it will automatically show on my rating and possibly earning titles. That being said, I wouldn’t mind becoming a GM one day.

What else chess has taught to you, except playing chess?
Chess has taught me always to work hard and to be patient in life. Improvement takes time and doesn’t show immediately.