NK Open: a 140-year-old tradition

The pastoral facet of The Netherlands

I just learned a new English word with this occasion: "dragonfly" This insect was so so
unimaginably small! And it opened my interest for macro-photography as well

I had a 10 km walk one of these days and this is the sort of lucious landscape I found along the way

This was the object of my 10km walk: The Middachten castle, which dates from the early Middle Ages

This house is straight out of a Fairy Tale

What is Alina doing when not playing chess nor watching Erwin's game? Chasing the birds!

I personally love to receive trophies and this one is truly beautiful

Anna-Maja Kazarian, the new talent of Holland; she is also the only
woman participant in the NK Open. Below is an example of her play.

I usually see parents waiting for their children to finish their games;
or maybe wives, patiently waiting for their husbands. This time
though I saw a cute little girl, solving mathematical equations while
supporting her brother.

The Indian GM Deep Sengupta

Second seed: the Russian GM Vyacheslav Ikonnikov

The reader will surely hear more from the talented young Dutch player, Jorden van Foreest, who won the European Championship U14 in 2013. Jorden comes from a chess family where everyone plays the game, including all his other four brothers and his little sister!! He just turned 15, started to play chess more seriously when he was 9 and now is making a name of his own while giving quite some tough times to many GMs. In the game against my husband, it looked promising for Erwin but, perhaps, he overestimated his chances, went too far and suddenly found himself in trouble...The last moments of the 4th round were onions to my eyes, especially after the smooth game Erwin had had.

It was not all missed chances for the young talent, and here is a spectacular one in which you, the dear reader, are also invited to investigate on your own.

Since analyzing in depth this position would require a lot of time and it still might be far from the truth, I invite you dear reader to dig further and find the ultimate conclusion. Besides, the game itself is absolutely amazing, Black had at some point two queens on the board and the finishing touch deserves attention as well...a nice game to replay and investigate. Good luck!

One of his little brothers is playing as well: Lucas van Foreest

The Indian IM Arghyadip Das who just won the Leiden Open held
right before this tournament

Yochanan Afek, also playing in the NK Open, has a special study which he composed especially
for this tournament, and two-move mates each day, for chess lovers to solve

White to play and win! The study was composed especially for this tournament by the already very much known in his field of expertise, Yochanan Afek, who is playing in the NK Open as well. During the closing ceremony, on 31st of July, there will be a drawing of lots where three correct solutions will be rewarded with a special prize. So don't hesitate and send in your answers via this link: http://onk.schaakbond.nl/activiteiten/studie Good luck!

The best friend of Dutch people: the bicycle. On it is GM Erwin L'Ami,
the tournament's top seed.

Many activities are happening around the tournament: blitz, simul, live commentary etc.

"Work is for people who can't fish"

Photos by Alina L'Ami

Standings after six rounds

Links Official tournament site All games in PGN The games are being broadcast live on the official web site and on the chess server Playchess.com. If you are not a member you can download a free Playchess client there and get immediate access. You can also use ChessBase 12 or any of our Fritz compatible chess programs.