Jan Timman was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on 14 December 1951. He learned to play chess from his father, Rein Timman, a prominent professor of applied mathematics, at age eight and quickly showed prodigious talent, famously drawing against former world champion Max Euwe in a simultaneous exhibition at age twelve. He advanced to become an International Master at the age of 19, and earned the grandmaster title at 23. He went on to win the Dutch Chess Championship nine times, between 1974 and 1996.
Timman's rating rose steadily throughout the 1970s and 1980s. In January 1982 he was second on the FIDE rating list, behind world champion Anatoly Karpov. In January 1990 his rating reached an all-time high of 2680, which put him at third place worldwide, behind Garry Kasparov and Karpov. His international career highlights included victories in tournaments such as Hastings 1973/74, Wijk aan Zee 1981 and 1985, and Linares 1988. He qualified for the Candidates multiple times, including reaching the final in 1990, where he lost to Anatoly Karpov, and 1993, where he was beaten by Nigel Short. Later that year, he was the challenger in the FIDE's World Championship, where he was defeated by Karpov.
Jan Timman represented the Netherlands in 13 Chess Olympiads, from 1972 to 2004, playing on the first board for 11 of them. His pinnacle achievement came at the 1976 Haifa Olympiad, with an outstanding 8½/11 performance on board one. It secured the individual gold medal for the best result, and it carried the Netherlands a team silver medal behind the United States.
Jan Timman made significant contributions as a chess writer and editor, providing articles for New in Chess magazine and authoring acclaimed books, such as Timman's Titans (2016) and The Art of Attacking Chess (2006). He was also a distinguished endgame study composer, one of the strongest practical players to excel in chess problems.
On a personal note: Jan has been a good friend for forty years, and always provided me with sparkling insights into studies and problems (my hobby). I will miss the chance encounters at events and the wonderful conversations that would inevitably ensue. I am sure I will share some of it in one or more articles in the future.
Our ChessBase Players page gives you comprehensive information in Jan Timman's chess career – his Elo development, his favourite and least favourite opponents, his strongest games and weakest losses, his openings with white and black, etc. Click here or on the image below for full access to this material, including a replayable selection of his best games.
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