♟️ About Stichting Schaaktoernooi Noord-Oost Nederland

Stichting Schaaktoernooi Noord-Oost Nederland is the Dutch foundation responsible for the Hoogeveen Chess Tournament, one of the Netherlands’ long-running international chess festivals. Based in Hoogeveen, Drenthe, the foundation organizes elite invitation chess alongside FIDE-rated open competition and amateur tournaments. Moreover, it works with the Municipality of Hoogeveen, sponsors, arbiters, volunteers, and chess professionals to stage the annual event.

The foundation dates from 1997, when it entered the Dutch Chamber of Commerce register under KvK number 41020769. The tournament also began its Hoogeveen Town Hall tradition that year. Since then, the event has developed through several sponsorship eras, including the VAM, Essent, and Univé periods, while the underlying Hoogeveen tournament organization has continued beyond those naming partnerships.

Grandmaster Loek van Wely currently serves as Chairman of Stichting Schaaktoernooi Noord-Oost Nederland. Meanwhile, Jeroen Bottema serves as Secretary and Tournament Director. The board also includes Treasurer Franc Wilmink and former chairman Bert van der Haar. For players and tournament enquiries, Jeroen Bottema is the principal operational contact and therefore the most useful Contact Person for MyChess.Events.

🏆 Hoogeveen Chess Tournament

The Hoogeveen Chess Tournament has taken place annually since 1997 and has developed into an international festival that combines elite chess with accessible amateur competition. Its long-term home is the Town Hall of Hoogeveen, creating an unusually close relationship between the event and the municipality.

Over its history, the tournament has attracted many leading international players. The event has featured world-class grandmasters, Dutch champions, established international stars, and emerging talents. Moreover, its elite component has used several different formats, including round robins, individual matches, and the modern Crown Group.

The tournament has also changed names according to major sponsorship arrangements. It began as the VAM Tournament, later became the Essent Tournament, and subsequently operated under the Univé name. However, the organizing foundation remained responsible for the event as its commercial partnerships evolved.

In addition to elite chess, the foundation has consistently maintained open and amateur competition. Consequently, the Hoogeveen festival brings together grandmasters, strong club players, developing competitors, and recreational participants within the same event.

🌟 Hoogeveen Chess Tournament 2026

Stichting Schaaktoernooi Noord-Oost Nederland organizes the Hoogeveen Chess Tournament 2026 from October 10–17, 2026 at Hoogeveen Town Hall.

The 2026 festival consists of four competitions: the Crown Group, the Hoogeveen Open, an Amateur Afternoon tournament, and an Amateur Morning tournament. Therefore, the event continues its established combination of elite and broad-participation chess.

The Hoogeveen Open is limited to 66 players and normally requires a minimum rating of 2000. Players compete over nine rounds, with a double-round day on October 14. The time control is 40 moves in 90 minutes, followed by 30 additional minutes, with a 30-second increment from move one.

The Amateur Afternoon tournament accommodates up to 100 participants and uses the same nine-round classical format. Meanwhile, the Amateur Morning tournament accepts up to 166 players and uses seven rounds. Both amateur sections have a maximum rating of 2100.

The organizers are also assembling a new Crown Group for the 2026 edition. This invitation component continues Hoogeveen’s tradition of placing prominent players and rising talents at the center of the festival.

Jeroen Bottema serves as Tournament Director and is also registered by FIDE as Chief Organizer of the 2026 Hoogeveen Open. Frans Peeters serves as Chief Arbiter, supported by an experienced arbitration team.

🌍 International Chess and Elite Competition

Elite international chess has been central to Hoogeveen’s identity for decades. The tournament has hosted many players from the highest levels of professional chess, while its invitation formats have changed to keep the event distinctive.

The Crown Group has featured established grandmasters alongside younger players who later reached the international elite. This approach has given spectators an opportunity to follow both famous names and emerging stars in closely contested matches or small invitation groups.

For example, former World Champion contenders, national champions, leading Dutch grandmasters, and internationally recognized young talents have competed in Hoogeveen. The tournament has also hosted players such as Magnus Carlsen during the earlier stages of his career.

In more recent editions, the organizers have continued to use the Crown Group to connect generations. The 2025 Crown Group featured Eline Roebers, Erwin l’Ami, Alexei Shirov, and Arkadij Naiditsch. Consequently, elite invitation chess remains an important complement to the much larger open and amateur sections.

🧒 Youth Chess and Chess City Hoogeveen

The foundation has also used the tournament to promote chess among children in and around Hoogeveen. Its activities have extended beyond the main tournament hall into local schools and youth competitions.

One notable initiative provided large outdoor chess sets to primary schools around Hoogeveen. The project formed part of a broader ambition to strengthen the city’s identity as a chess center. In addition, the tournament has organized youth Grand Prix events and simultaneous exhibitions for younger players.

The organizers have repeatedly worked with schools to make chess more accessible. Moreover, elite players and invited guests have taken part in educational and promotional activities during tournament week.

This connection between international tournament chess and local youth development distinguishes the Hoogeveen project from a stand-alone professional competition. The foundation uses the annual festival both to attract international players and to increase chess participation within the local community.

🤝 Municipal and Community Partnerships

The Municipality of Hoogeveen has been closely connected with the tournament for many years. The Town Hall serves as the playing venue, while municipal representatives regularly participate in openings and tournament activities.

The foundation also works with a broad network of commercial and institutional supporters. Sponsors help fund the tournament, while local volunteers contribute to its administration and presentation.

Over the years, the organization has developed the concept of Hoogeveen as a chess city. Therefore, the tournament is not limited to games inside the playing hall. School projects, youth chess, public activities, simultaneous exhibitions, and local partnerships have all formed part of the wider program.

The combination of an international tournament, strong municipal support, and long-term community involvement has allowed the foundation to sustain the event across changing sponsorship conditions and tournament formats.