Jan Timman was born in Amsterdam on 14 December 1951 and for many years was one of the world's leading chess players. In 1984, together with Wim Andriessen, he founded New in Chess and became its editor-in-chief, "a logical continuation of his role at Schaakbulletin, the legendary Dutch chess magazine from which New in Chess originated. Jan took great pride in New in Chess and was very committed, even though he travalled profusely and was away a lot," writes Dirk Jan ten Geuzendam in a moving obituary published in the current issue of the magazine.
In 1985, Timman won the Interzonal Tournament in Taxco de Alarcón by a margin of 1½ points, qualifying for the Candidates Tournament, where he edged out Mihail Tal to reach the Candidates Matches. It was also in 1985 that Timman first met Dirk Jan ten Geuzendam, who would later serve as editor-in-chief of New in Chess for many years.
Ten Geuzendam and Timman met at numerous international tournaments and time and again in the Netherlands. Their friendship and closeness are evident throughout the obituary. Ten Geuzendam achieves the rare feat of expressing affection, friendship, admiration and grief without becoming sentimental or idealising Timman. With a series of brief recollections, he brings Timman's colourful personality vividly to life. "Being with Jan was always a comforting moment outside of time. Those playful smiles of his, the gestures, the sovereign calm."
At his peak, Timman was the world's number two, but he was also known as someone who enjoyed life to the full. Wine, long late-night discussions with fellow chess players and numerous affairs were all part of his public image. Ten Geuzendam corrects this picture, stressing that Timman was also an extraordinarily disciplined worker. Looking back, his productivity is truly remarkable. He wrote numerous books whose chess analysis was matched by elegant prose and an assured style. In addition, he produced a wealth of articles and composed a large number of endgame studies. As ten Geuzendam relates, Timman wrote "the last lines of the manuscript twelve (!) hours before he died in his sleep."
Erwin l'Ami, Jacob Aagaard, Jon Speelman and Helgi Ólafsson also pay tribute to Jan Timman. The issue furthermore contains Timman's final column. After learning of his serious illness, he had written it in advance so that it could continue to appear even if he were no longer able to write it himself.
The issue also offers many other articles worth reading. It looks back at Javokhir Sindarov's victory in the Candidates Tournament and includes an interview with his coach, Roman Vidonyak, who offers insights into his training methods. There are also Matthew Sadler's ever-stimulating book reviews, reflections on one of Hans Niemann's scoresheets — "most moves are undecipherable. While initially they still look like moves, they gradually morph into jottings that could be anything" — as well as several training features and the "Just Checking" column, in which the popular streamer, commentator and WGM Keti Tsatsalashvili reveals, among other things, her favourite food, her favourite game and the best advice she has ever received.
A fine issue — and a fitting tribute to Jan Timman.
New in Chess, 2026#2, Europe €19,99, USA $ 23,99
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