Stichting Amsterdam Chess Open

♟️ About Stichting Amsterdam Chess Open

Stichting Amsterdam Chess Open is a non-profit chess event organization based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Founded in 2023, the foundation develops ambitious and accessible over-the-board chess tournaments and events in the Dutch capital. Its activities bring together club players, international competitors, titled players, students, newcomers, volunteers, and the wider Amsterdam chess community. The foundation was established around the creation of the Amsterdam Chess Open, a new large-scale weekend tournament for the city. The inaugural edition in 2023 welcomed 250 players. Participation increased to approximately 460 players in 2024, while the third edition in 2025 attracted around 650 participants. This rapid growth established the Amsterdam Chess Open as the largest weekend chess tournament in the Netherlands. Today, Stichting Amsterdam Chess Open has expanded beyond a single annual tournament. In addition to the Amsterdam Chess Open, the foundation organizes the Amsterdam Chess Festival and co-organizes the Sport Pride Amsterdam Chess Open. Through these projects, it combines competitive chess with accessibility, community building, diversity, and new approaches to live chess events.

👥 Board & Organization

The current Board of Stichting Amsterdam Chess Open consists of four members: Jan Timmerman – Chairman Jan Timmerman is Chairman of Stichting Amsterdam Chess Open and has played a central role in developing the Amsterdam Chess Open since its creation. Marjolein Aarten – Executive Producer and Treasurer Marjolein Aarten is responsible for production and financial management and is actively involved in the foundation’s tournaments and other chess projects. Yali Hendrix – Student Recruitment & Marketing Yali Hendrix works on marketing, communication, student engagement, and the wider presentation of the foundation’s events. IA Sernin van de Krol – Chief Arbiter International Arbiter Sernin van de Krol leads the tournament’s arbiting operations and also contributes to the technical and organizational development of the foundation’s chess events. The foundation works with a broader team of organizers, arbiters, coordinators, volunteers, and partners for individual events. Therefore, people involved in the Amsterdam Chess Open tournament weekend are not necessarily members of the Board of Stichting Amsterdam Chess Open.

🏆 Amsterdam Chess Open

The Amsterdam Chess Open is the foundation’s flagship autumn tournament. The event was first held in 2023 and has grown substantially with every edition. The first tournament welcomed 250 players in 2023. The second edition increased to approximately 460 participants in 2024, while the 2025 edition attracted around 650 players, including grandmasters, international masters, other titled players, and competitors from many countries. As a result, the Amsterdam Chess Open became the largest weekend chess tournament in the Netherlands. The tournament combines several rating groups, FIDE-rated classical chess, substantial prize funds, and the Personal Championship of Schaakbond Groot-Amsterdam. The fourth Amsterdam Chess Open takes place from October 23–25, 2026, at the Apollohal in Amsterdam. Official Website: https://www.chessopen.amsterdam/

🌍 Amsterdam Chess Festival

Stichting Amsterdam Chess Open also organizes the Amsterdam Chess Festival, a major summer chess event in Amsterdam. The first Amsterdam Chess Festival took place from July 10–19, 2026, at Montessori Lyceum Oostpoort. The festival succeeded the Amsterdam Science Park Chess Tournament and continues Amsterdam’s tradition of hosting a major annual summer chess tournament. Its program includes a nine-round classical Swiss tournament together with blitz chess, smaller round-robin tournaments, Freestyle Chess activities, student championships, masterclasses, and other chess events. The foundation works with Bar Blitz on the organization and presentation of the festival. The inaugural edition also featured appearances by leading Dutch chess figures, including GM Anish Giri and IM Eline Roebers. Amsterdam Chess Festival: https://www.amsterdamchessfestival.nl/

🏳️‍🌈 Sport Pride Amsterdam Chess Open

The foundation is also involved in the Sport Pride Amsterdam Chess Open, an inclusive tournament designed to bring together chess players of different backgrounds and playing levels. The event began in 2024 and has been organized in cooperation with Sport Pride and other chess-community partners. In 2026, the third edition formed part of the Sport Pride World Games during WorldPride Amsterdam 2026. The project reflects the foundation’s broader goal of making over-the-board chess welcoming and accessible while connecting established chess communities with new audiences.

🎵 Chess, Community & Cultural Events

Stichting Amsterdam Chess Open also supports chess events that move beyond the traditional tournament-hall format. Its activities include collaborations that combine chess with Amsterdam’s social and cultural scene. These initiatives introduce over-the-board chess to new audiences and create informal settings where competitive play, music, community, and social interaction can come together. Information about related techno and chess events can also be found through Resident Advisor: https://ra.co/promoters/189690

📚 Chess Training & Community Activities

The foundation also promotes chess development outside its major tournaments. Through the Amsterdam Chess Open platform, players can find chess training opportunities at several locations around Amsterdam. Sessions are offered for different playing levels and include activities for beginners, developing club players, adults, and children. These initiatives support the foundation’s wider objective of strengthening the local chess community and helping more people move from casual chess into organized over-the-board play.