In this new episode of the Wijk aan Zee Storytellers, Eric talks to GM Ian Rogers (1960), mainly about his debut in WIjk aan Zee in 1977, where he met the best players of the era for the very first time. He has a story to tell about the great Dutch chess world champion GM Max Euwe. Ian also remembers the greatest game he ever saw in Wijk, and it is not the game Kasparov-Topalov! We talk about the crazy game Bellon vs. Jamieson from the B-group in 1977. "Two cavemen going at each other. That's the sort of chess I'm happy to see."
Rogers is the first Australian-raised chess grandmaster and he attained the Grandmaster title in 1985 after becoming an International Master in 1980. He was Australia's highest-rated player for over twenty years, and represented Australia at fourteen Chess Olympiads (twelve of them on first board).
Throughout his competitive career and more so since his retirement from competitive chess in July 2007, Rogers has reported on many tournaments for various media outlets, with photographic assistance from his wife Cathy Rogers.
Ian and Cathy Rogers
Rogers was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the 1996 Australia Day Honours for his service to chess.
You can follow Ian on Twitter.
All the information about the tournament and links that will guide you to the right place, can be found on the official website of the tournament. TATA Steel Chess is also on Twitter. Use the hashtag #tatasteelchess.
Have a look at the statistics here: All time statistics.
All crosstables and more information about the event in Wijk aan Zee can be found on the Wikipedia site.
Host : Eric van Reem
Guest : GM Ian Rogers (AUS)
Editor : Dennis van Reem
Artwork : Fränk Stiefel
Music : Chess Pieces-Silent Partner
Feedback: talkingchess@gmail.com or tweet @ChessClassic
