The En Passant chess club in Bunschoten-Spakenburg
Saturday 12th of November was a special day for the chess club En Passant.
Exactly 70 years ago this club was founded, during the enthusiasm for Max Euwe’s
world championship in 1935.
Alice defeats the king
A few years ago, in 2001, En Passant managed to build their own chess building
.... like a chess rook! And right before this building there is a very nice
statue named "Alice defeats the king".
Viktor in front of the building
Also this year the club En Passant organized a blitz tournament and the sponsor
wants it to be a spectacular happening. So this local fisherman (“The
Cayman”) invited Viktor Kortchnoi from Switzerland.
There was a lot of fried fish for everybody. And free! So in between the
rounds you could see chessplayers go outside to pick up a some fish.
Next Dutch GM Friso Nijboer accepted his invitation. GM Dennis de Vreugt (who
won the tournament in 2004) and GM Vladimir Baklan from Ukraine joined the
players list. Except for the GM’s and IM’s there were a lot of
strong players present this tournament.
A fish-eye's view of part of the playing hall
Kortchnoi didn’t have to play the first three rounds of the tournament,
he just started in the final group with 15 opponents. After beating a lot of
IM’s, he drew with his strong opponents Baklan and Nijboer. His surprising
loss against IM Jelmer Jens placed him second behind Nijboer. Baklan became
third.
Viktor Kortchnoi, chess legend
Viktor the Terrible in full action against Bruno Carlier
Blitz monster Manuel Bosboom playing Cekro
Bosboom in attack mode
The chess legend at work
GM Friso Nijboer who won the tournament
So, why did this great chess legend come to a unknown fisher village in Holland?
“Well, I like chess, this is my only hobby. And I like happy faces who
say I will not be forgotten."
Will he come come back again next year? "Invite me again!”
Viktor got a chocalate cake from the sponsors at the end of the tournament
All photos by Fred
Lucas
Final standings (15 rounds)
1 |
Friso Nijboer |
13 |
2 |
Viktor Kortchnoi |
12 |
3 |
Vladimir Baklan |
11.5 |
4 |
Manuel Bosboom |
11 |
5 |
Bruno Carlier |
10 |
6 |
Jelmer Jens |
9 |
7 |
Dennis de Vreugt |
8.5 |
8 |
Ekrem Cekro |
8.5 |
9 |
Stefan Kuipers |
8 |
10 |
Hans Böhm |
7.5 |
11 |
Henk Vedder |
7 |
12 |
Mark Dogge |
5.5 |
13 |
Jaap Dros |
3 |
14 |
Gerard van Es |
2.5 |
15 |
Cor van Ingen |
1.5 |
15 |
Joost Marcus |
1.5 |