Dear chess fan. Due to the launch of our new tournament webpage, we have decided to postpone the tournament entries for a few weeks. We'll have the entry form up before the end of September.

Fed up with preparing long theoretical lines? Well, just play some blitz chess then in the great atmosphere of the chess bar Proeflokaal Hooghoudt. For fun, yes indeed, but with some serious prizes too! Wednesday the 26th, it's time for the first edition of the Open Groningen Championship Fischer Random. Time to sober up a little bit, so no prices in liquor form, but in cash!  

1st price € 75, 2nd price € 50 and 3rd price € 25.
7 minutes per game per person, 9 rounds Swiss
Start at 20:30, free entrance

The positions are only decided a moment before every round. Fischer Random Chess is also often refered at as Chess 960, because of the no less than 960 possible starting positions. For more information about the rules, for example on how to castle, you can check out the wikipedia-page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chess960

Get there in time, before 20:15, and let the barstaff know you want to play! Or give Maarten Roorda a call or a message on whats'app.

Maarten Roorda: 06 289 79 404 (0031 6 289 79 404)
Proeflokaal Hooghoudt 
Zuiderdiep 61
Groningen

The third round of the Chess Festival Groningen was a tough one. Some ended in a draw, some in a result, but almost all games were hard fought battles. 

The 56th edition of the Chess Festival Groningen is on her way! The first day was a rather quiet one, without many surprises. Remarkable results only really on the first two boards, GM Michal Krasenkow – Ruud van Meegen and FM Simet – GM Tiviakov, both ended in a draw.

Chess Festival Groningen already had it's kick-off! And because we also believe in having fun, we organize the now traditional After Chess Program in chess bar Proeflokaal Hooghoudt, Zuiderdiep 61, Groningen. If you want to join one of the events of the After Chess Program, come to the bar (before 20:15), or you can also call Maarten Roorda: 06 289 79 404 (0031 6 289 79 404), preferably before 20:00.

Saturday the 22th
At 20:30 we start with Ultimate Moves. Two teams will take place. They both get 5 minutes with 10 seconds increment. Every 5 moves another team member takes place at the board. Trashtalk is very much appreciated! Everyone can join the game! Kees Eldering en Mika (bartender) will start the game! These people are assured of a place in a team: Few places free. Please join! Get in on time and let the barstaff know you want to play!

Immediately afterwards we play Dutch Bughouse. You play in duos. It's like normal bughouse, only a bit different. Wikipedia has a good game manual. Maximum of 20 players, prices in liqorform.

Because there are two rounds to play on the chessfestival coming sunday, the cafe won’t organize any particular games. But of course, feel free to pop in, drink a beer, analyze your games, play blitz or sing silent night.

Monday the 24th
We’ll play Hands & Brains. Again played in duos. Just come along, preferably before eight, and let us know you want to play, also when you don’t have a partner. There'll be plenty of others on the search! Starts at 20:30, maximum of 30 players. Prices in liqorform.

25th of december. Merry Xmas! Sorry, cafe is closed.

Wednesday the 26th 
Fisher Random. The first edition of the Open Groningen Championship Fischer Random, to be precise.  Time to sober up a little bit, so no prices in liquor form, but in cash! 1st price € 75, 2nd price € 50 and 3rd price € 25. 7 minutes per person. Get in on time, before 20:00, and let the barstaff know you want to play! Or give Maarten Roorda a call or a whats'app. 

Considering the low number of entries in the C-group, the arbiters and tournament organizers have decided to merge the B- and C-group. We'll keep a separate prize fund for the C-participants.

If you have any questions concerning entry, pairings or bye's, please contact arbiter.chessfestival@gmail.com

The Chess Festival Groningen will host the third consecutive Student Christmas Chess on the 23rd of December. This event is intended for any student who knows the rules, but doesn't play at tournaments or a chess club on regular basis. Entry is free, while the first prize is €150. Three students of the same study association can team up to fight for the extra Study Association prize, netting both the players and the Association €60. We hope to get 'homeplayers' to try out an official tournament, while at the same time giving the chance to follow the games of the strongest Groninger and Dutch Chess players. 

Still in doubt whether you're ready? There are practice sessions on wednesday night 12 and 19 December at Hooghoudt Proeflokaal. Jonah and Thiadrik won in 2017, while Arno Clinched first prize in 2016. Who's next?

Find more information at our website under Students Chess and sign up!

The Chess Festival Groningen offers a generous prize fund for the 2018 edition. The Open A has a total prize fund north of €6000. The tournament winner takes home €1800, while there’s an extra prize for the best scoring woman of €400. The remainder of the prize fund is distributed among the other top finishers and a rating prize. With this prize fund Chess Festival Groningen is among the highest in the Netherlands, which can be seen in the strength of the field of players. Of course this prize fund wouldn’t be possible without our sponsors the University of Groningen, The Municipality Groningen and Hotels.nl.

As part of the Chess Festival’s University Challenge, Ivan Sokolov and Lucas van Foreest will play a four-game match. The match will take place from Thursday the 27th of December until Sunday the 30th. This year marks the milestone of the tenth clash between an experienced older player and a youthful challenger. Except for the age gap, the two players share a lot of similarities. Both Sokolov and Van Foreest are well dressed men, known for their remarkable character. They play the same brand of fighting chess, and are unafraid of all the complications in their games. All in all, this matchup is promising to deliver an interesting match to close the year. 

The registration for this year event has opened. If you click on the yellow banner above which says 'Sign up', things should be easy.

It's possible to register for the 9 round event (A,B, and C-group) or to choose to play only before or after Christmas. More information on dates, side events, participants, etc you'll find on this page above or on the right.

We will publish news about the Festival on a regular basis on this website. For any information feel free to contact us. We hope to see you at the end of this year in Groningen.

The organisation of the Chess Festival Groningen

The dates of the next edition of the Chess Festival Groningen have been announced. Traditionally this tournament -with its long and captivating history- is held over the Christmas period, and this year is no exception. The organisers have decided to have the tournament take place from Saturday 22 December until Sunday 30 December. As usual Christmas day, Tuesday 25 December, is a day off. The Open Tournament consists of 9 rounds Swiss.

The A-group consists of strong grandmasters both from the Netherlands and abroad again this year. They are joined by IMs, FMs, norm chasers and ambitious club players. The B-group offers a spot to those unable to match with the grandmasters, but eager to play 9 competitive rounds of chess. In addition, you can choose to just compete before or after Christmas in the 4 Person Round Robin or the Compact Group. On Sunday 23 December two rounds will take place in one day. Further details concerning additional festivities, such as the contestants of the annual match (University Challenge) and the Students Christmas Chess Tournament, will follow on this website, Facebook and Twitter.

Registration will open shortly, but you can save the dates now. We hope to see you in Groningen this Christmas!

Koen Lambrecht, tournament director Chess Festival Groningen

Eelke de Boer struck back in his match against Dennis de Vreugt. Both players had their chances, and de Vreugt actually was in the drivers seat for the longest time, but Eelke showed his strength when Dennis stumbled just before the finish line.

In the A - group the first bord was a relatively calm draw, but otherwise it was a bloodbath with 3 chasers catching up with Plat en Postny. Turov, Bok and Kislinsky managed to beat Rahul, Kryakvin and Tiviakov and there is now a 5-way tie for first place.

The Chess festival is more than just a tournament; it offers chances to young and old, newbies and veterans. We've had the Student Christmas Chess on the 23rd and this round we had the Youth Grand Prix. With many of the older youth players already participating in the senior tournaments, we're happy that no less than 45 youngsters showed up to participate. Winner of the day was Johnny Albadeen.

Photos: Harry Gielen (and: Youth)

Report: Koen 

An uneventful draw left tournament leader Plat in pole position, since none of his chasers managed to win their game. Tomorrow Groninger favorite Tiviakov will take on Plat with White. For some entertainment, watch the games by Kislinsky, Lubbe and Beerdsen. 

With Christmas on the doorstep, we're left with just 1 leader in the tournament. Kryakvin picked an anti-theoretical d3-line to fight blacks Grünfeld, and he managed to get some play. Plat correctly estimated that sacrificing his b7 pawn would grant him enough play, and eventually whites queen. The position was more or less balanced with knight, rook and pawn for a queen, but blacks queen found some nice targets and eventually brought home the win for Vojtech. Other winners Pruijssers, Turov, Bok, Tiviakov and Postny are only halve a point behind, so no time to rest, except for tomorrow, since Christmas day is a rest day. 

Merry Christmas and we'll speak again on tuesday.

Photos Harry Gielen - Day 3

After 3 rounds of the Chessfestival Groningen almost everything is 'as it should be,' if we look at pre-tournament predictions. Grandmasters Vojtech Plat and Dmitry Kryakvin lead the tournament and play eachother in the fourth round. All other grandmasters follow on the next six boards, with 2 of the dutch favorites Sipke Ernst and Benjamin Bok playing eachother in round 4 and Groningers nr. 2 Tiviakov taking on Kuipers on board 4. We'll keep an eye on the biggest surprise of the tournament, former inhabitant of Assen, Elmar Hommes who beat 2 stronger opponents and held 1 to a draw. This round he faces his thoughest opponent yet, dutch grandmaster Roeland Pruijssers.

Last year we had a first round with many upsets. This year the players followed dr. ELO more strictly, although we still had surprising results from Rahul vs Kislinsky and Weggen vs Lubbe. If you're looking for some rollercoaster games, you should definitely have a look at the games of Kryakvin and Ernst. Their opponents showed no fear whatsoever and proved that chess is a sport for spectators. Most of the top seeds managed to win their game, although Tiviakov might have lost some valuable energy in grinding his endgame with the double round of tomorrow ahead.

Photos Harry Gielen Day 1

The Banter Chess Championship match, presented and explained by Jan Joris Groenewold, between Sipke and Jorden was won by the young guy Jorden. In the first game white (Jorden) caused black some problems in a Scotch, but Sipke fought back and reached an equal ending. In the second game Sipke seemed on top, but when he sacrificed a piece, Jorden started to play very accurately and eventually managed to give back the piece for a better ending. The combination of position and a significant time advantage gave Jorden the win: 1.5 - 0.5. An important remark: The jury (spectators) also rewarded Jorden with the price of best trashtalker.The biggest winner of the evening was however, Chess Café Hooghoudt Proeflokaal. In this pub it's proven, day in day out, that Chess can be fun for all levels and in all forms. It therefore organizes, once again, an After Chess program during the Chess Festival:

24 Dec.: Fischer Random chess (Chess960).
25 Dec.: Christmas day, Hooghoudt Proeflokaal closed.
26 Dec.: Stratego Chess.
27 Dec.: SISSA Christmas Blitz.(www.jsvsissa.nl)
28 Dec.: Hands & Brains.
29 Dec.: Dutch Bughouse / Doorgeefschaak.

All activities will start at 20.30 hrs.
Chess Café Hooghoudt Proeflokaal:
Gedempte Zuiderdiep 61, 9711 HC Groningen.

The organization and arbiters have decided to merge the Open B and C group into 1 group. There will be prizes for different ratinggroups, so that the participants of the C group still have fair chances to fight for a priza.