♟️ About Stichting Jaro

Stichting Jaro is a Dutch sports-event organization closely associated with major chess tournaments in Helmond, North Brabant, Netherlands. It provides the organizational framework behind the Open Dutch Rapid Championship (Open NK Rapid) and related chess events, while an experienced tournament committee manages the sporting program. The foundation is based in Best, near Eindhoven, but much of its current chess activity takes place in Helmond.

The tournament organization is led by Robert Klomp, who serves as Tournament Director. He works alongside Anja Deij-Provoost as Secretary, Leon van Gelder responsible for finances, Frits Schalij as Vice Tournament Director, and Ad Bruijns in photography and supporting activities. In addition, an experienced arbiter and technical team supports the championships, including live-board coverage and tournament administration.

Stichting Jaro has become closely connected with the revival and expansion of major rapid-chess events in Helmond. The Royal Dutch Chess Federation (KNSB) has recognized Robert Klomp’s role in bringing the Open Dutch Rapid Championship and its youth counterpart back into a regular tournament structure. Today, these events attract large fields while combining national championship titles with open participation and FIDE-rated rapid chess.

🏆 Tournaments & Chess Activities

The foundation’s most prominent chess event is the Open Dutch Rapid Championship, known in Dutch as the Open NK Rapid. The tournament awards the titles of Open Dutch Rapid Champion and Open Dutch Women’s Rapid Champion. All players compete in one combined field, which allows women to compete for both the overall standings and the separate women’s championship title.

The championship has grown rapidly since its return to Helmond. In 2024, the event attracted a strong field that included leading Dutch Grandmasters and International Masters. The 2025 edition reached 250 participants from 16 nations, including several Grandmasters, while the 2026 championship grew to more than 300 players. As a result, Open NK Rapid has developed into one of the largest one-day rapid events on the Dutch chess calendar.

The Open Dutch Rapid Championship 2027 continues this program on May 1, 2027, at Carolus Borromeus College in Helmond. Players compete over nine Swiss-system rounds with a time control of 15 minutes plus 5 seconds per move. The event is FIDE Rapid rated, and the published prize fund for the 2027 edition is €4,300.

Stichting Jaro is also connected with other tournament activity in the Helmond area. For example, the organization handles payments for the Open Helmond Cup, a junior competition designed to give young players accessible tournament experience. This broader activity places the foundation within a growing network of chess events centered on Helmond.

🌱 Junior Chess & Development

Junior chess is a major part of the organization’s current program. The Open NK Rapid Youth takes place alongside the adult championship weekend and serves players across numerous age categories. The competition awards Dutch rapid titles for both open and girls’ classifications, while young players from surrounding countries can also participate under the published eligibility rules.

Participation has grown substantially. The 2023 youth championship attracted 218 players, while the 2025 edition brought together 217 participants across nine age groups. In addition, the tournament uses dozens of live boards and provides online coverage, giving young competitors experience in a professionally organized championship environment.

The 2027 youth championship is scheduled for May 2, 2027, one day after the Open Dutch Rapid Championship. It again takes place at Carolus Borromeus College and uses the same 15+5 rapid format. Therefore, the two events together create a full weekend of national rapid chess for both adult and junior players.

Robert Klomp and the wider organizing team have also been involved in other major youth chess activities in Helmond. The city has hosted the Dutch Youth Championships in recent years, further strengthening the local tournament infrastructure. Consequently, Stichting Jaro’s work forms part of a broader development of Helmond as an important center for Dutch competitive youth chess.

📚 History & Development

The current Helmond rapid-chess program developed after a period in which the Open Dutch Rapid Championships had disappeared from the regular calendar. The KNSB reported that Robert Klomp took the opportunity to revive both the adult Open NK Rapid and the youth edition in 2023. Since then, the tournaments have returned annually and have increased significantly in participation.

The organization has also invested in the practical side of tournament presentation. Recent editions have used large numbers of electronic boards, online broadcasts, photography, live commentary, and extensive volunteer support. Moreover, the tournaments have attracted nationally prominent players, international participants, and large junior fields.

Carolus Borromeus College has become the principal venue for this expanding chess program. Its location near Helmond-Brandevoort railway station provides convenient access from Eindhoven and other parts of the Netherlands. Together, Stichting Jaro, the tournament committee, arbiters, volunteers, and the Dutch chess community have developed the Open NK Rapid weekend into a recurring national chess event.