Leif Erlend Johannessen (born 14 May 1980) is a Norwegian chess player, and Norway's fifth grandmaster.

He picked up his first norm in Oslo, the second at Bermuda and finally the third in the Sigeman tournament in Malmö.

Johannessen has yet to win the Norwegian championship, the closest he has come is second place in 1999 after losing the play-off 0-2 to Berge Østenstad.

Johannessen has won the Norwegian blitz and rapid championship several times though.

He is also the editor-in-chief of the official Norwegian Chess Magazine.