♟️ About the Organizer

Stichting Schaak Promotie is a nonprofit chess organization based in Roosendaal, the Netherlands. The foundation promotes chess through national championships, school competitions, educational projects, workshops, and accessible community events.

The organization works with the Royal Dutch Chess Federation, regional chess bodies, local clubs, schools, municipalities, sponsors, and specialist tournament partners. Several board members also have strong links with Schaakvereniging De Pion in Roosendaal.

Ger IJzermans serves as Chairman of the foundation. The board also includes Secretary Ad Bruijns, Treasurer Erik van Elven, Frans Peeters, and Ton van der Werf. Together, they provide tournament direction, administration, technical support, arbitration, sponsorship coordination, and volunteer management.

The foundation does not operate from one permanent tournament hall. Instead, it organizes events at suitable venues across the Netherlands. These have included hotels, conference centers, schools, sports facilities, and established chess locations.

🏆 National Championships and Chess Events

Stichting Schaak Promotie organizes several important competitions within the Dutch chess program. Its activities include individual championships, corporate team events, national blitz tournaments, and regional school competitions.

In 2026, the foundation organizes the Dutch Open Chess Championship and Dutch Women’s Chess Championship from July 4 to 11. The tournaments take place at the Renaissance Amsterdam Schiphol Airport Hotel.

The organization also runs the Dutch Blitz Chess Championship. The 2026 edition takes place on September 12 at Zalencentrum Rustburcht in Rotterdam. Ger IJzermans serves as Tournament Director, while Frans Peeters serves as Chief Arbiter.

The championship uses a multi-stage competition system with preliminary groups followed by final groups. It attracts a large field of Dutch players, including titled competitors, experienced club members, juniors, and recreational tournament players.

Another major event is the Dutch Corporate Team Chess Championship. Companies enter teams of four players and compete in a rapid tournament. Stichting Schaak Promotie organized successful editions in 2023 and 2024 and returns as organizer in 2026.

The 2026 corporate championship takes place on September 26 at De Moriaan in Wijk aan Zee. Sponsorship support allows the organizers to offer free participation, making the event accessible to companies and workplace chess groups from across the Netherlands.

🌱 School Chess and Chess Education

School chess forms an important part of the foundation’s work. Stichting Schaak Promotie organizes the annual primary-school team championship for the Roosendaal district of the North Brabant Chess Federation.

The district covers Roosendaal, Bergen op Zoom, Woensdrecht, Etten-Leur, Moerdijk, Halderberge, Rucphen, Steenbergen, and several surrounding communities. Schools enter teams of four or five children, while the leading teams qualify for the North Brabant final.

The 2026 championship attracted 67 teams from 23 primary schools, representing 281 children. The tournament took place at the Atik Stadium in Roosendaal. Every participant received recognition, while the leading schools progressed to the regional championship.

The foundation also supports chess lessons and educational activities in primary schools. These initiatives introduce children to chess while developing concentration, planning, problem-solving, and respectful competition.

In addition, Stichting Schaak Promotie organizes practical workshops for chess officials and tournament administrators. Previous activities have included workshops on Sevilla, a pairing and tournament-management program widely used in Dutch chess.

Through national championships, school chess, corporate competition, education, and volunteer cooperation, Stichting Schaak Promotie supports chess at several levels. Its events connect young beginners, club players, officials, businesses, and leading Dutch competitors.