Candidates Storytellers - Lennart Ootes

In episode 26, Eric talks to his compatriot Lennart Ootes, who is well-known for the marvellous pictures he makes during chess tournaments. However, Lennart is an allrounder and calls himself an creative chess professional. Lennart has a passion for chess coverage. Since 2012 he has provided services for chess events, including many of the most prestigious tournaments in the world. By attending over 25 tournaments a year, Lennart is the most experienced chess broadcaster on the circuit. 

Nowadays, Lennart works freelance for chess tournaments, chess websites and other publishers of digital media. For many tournaments, he combines his work as a DGT board operator with photography. 
In 2018 Lennart was awarded as Chess Photographer of the Year by the Russian Chess Federation. 

In 2020 he was also present at the Candidates Tournament 2020 in Yekaterinburg and he has many stories to tell from that event. He will also be in Russia for the second part of the event to take pictures.