(Bærum SS, Norway - born 02.08.84 - FIDE-ELO 2098)
Known as a talented player since age 8-9 and one of the best of his age in Norway aged 10, Ekeberg finally got a second breakthrough the spring of 1999, with a sensational fourth place in the Open Norwegian Junior Championship and a surprising first place in the Norwegian championship below 16.
Despite being generally accepted as a serious and intelligent player with a for his age remarkable positional understanding, Ekeberg is still waiting for his international breakthrough. He in general and his openings in particular may still be to kind to achieve it here, but never say never - in a technical game Ekeberg is no walk over for anyone below 2500. Taking into consideration his natural understanding about where to place the pieces and a very sensible use of time, his first FIDE-ELO clearly is misleading.