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"Shrieking nerves, but King Loek is the coolest" – that is the title of the final report from the Dutch Championship from September 5th to 16th 2005 in Leeuwarden ("Gierende zenuwen, KingLoek is de koelste"). In the last round the reigning Dutch champion needed a draw to secure clear fist, while Sergey Tiviakov was out to win with the white pieces to take the title.
Dutch Champion 2005 Loek van Wely. What is the message he is signalling?
"It took six beers to clinch the title?" Wrong. "I have a really
cool right hand?" Wrong again.
Things looked a bit dangerous for a while, but then Van Wely took the initiative, won a pawn and was in a position to fight for the full point when the game ended with a draw by repitition. Loek van Wely had the title, for the sixth time in his career.
Holland's most famous living player, Jan Timman, was supposed to play this year's championchips. But Jan broke a hand last month and had to cancel his participation. He was replaced by Jan Werle.
In the women's section it was all about one player, who dominated the show. Chinese-born Peng Zhaoqin won the title a full two points ahead of her nearest rival. Peng won six games out of ten, four with black.
Dutch women's champion Peng Zhaoqin
The two Dutch champions, Peng Zhaoqin and Loek van Wely
The event was staged in a church, the Jacobijnerkerk in Leeuwarden, once the church of the Jacobins, and the largest monastic church in the Netherlands. It is famous for its magnificent Christian Müller organ.
The inside of the church, prepared for the chess tournament
The chess championship under way – ever see anything like this before?
The final round encounter between Sergey Tiviakov and Loek van Wely
Daniel Stellwagen, 18-year-old Dutch talent, came second
Sergey Tiviakov, with title aspirations in the final round
GM Friso Nijboer, fourth on tiebreak with 4.5/9
The clear winner of the women's section in action
Playing with kings: Marlies and Laura Bensdorp
The Dutch chess sisters up close
Bianca Muhren, who came in third
Streamlined chess: one more picture of Peng
... and of King Loek, the six-time Dutch Champion
All pictures by Fred Lucas of Momentoo Photography
