Chess Festival Groningen is much more than what’s going on in the playing venue. Almost every night there’s a blitz- or variant chess tournament in the bar Proeflokaal Hooghoudt on Gedempte Zuiderdiep 61 in the inner city of Groningen. And there’s even a guided tour through the beautiful, old city center. Down here you’ll find the complete list and you can also check out the category side events on this website.
Ultimate Moves, Saturday 21 December 08:30 PM
The informal opening of the Chess Festival. In two games of 5 minutes with 10 seconds increment, two teams will battle it out. Every 5 moves a new player takes over, trash talk is being appreciated.
After this match a small, informal bullet tournament (two minutes per person per game ) takes place. And yes, you may capture the king! Participation free. Subscribe for Ultimate Moves and/or Bullet with Maarten Roorda (00316-28979404)) or with the bar personnel. Prizes in liquid form. Maximum of twenty participants.
Dutch Bughouse, Sunday 22 December 08:30 PM
Chess no team sport? But indeed it is! Because now it’s time for Dutch Bughouse!
Just a little bit different than regular or international bughouse, it’s easy to learn and play if you are familiar with the normal bughouse.
7 minutes per game, teams of two. The ten times Dutch champion Erik Jan Hummel also joins.
Teams can subscribe till 08:00 PM with Maarten Roorda (00316-28979404). Prizes in liquid form. Maximum of twenty participants.
SISSA Kerstblitz, Monday 23 December 09:00 PM
SISSA Kerstblitz, the most bloody, tough, straightforward blitz chess tournament you will find, organized by student chess club SISSA.
Poule phase with groups of four and finals in groups of ten. Subscribe with https://bit.ly/35AGLDT of till 08:30 PM in the bar. Maximum of 30 participants. Full = Full.
Money prizes! Entree fee 5 euro, GM/IM’s gratis. Prize giving around 01:00 AM. No excuses, you won’t be brought home.
Chess against the Bear, Tuesday 24 December from 09:00 PM
Can you beat that strong, big bear with those mighty claws? Well, try it against grandmaster Sipke Ernst. He’s also available for arm wrestling.
Subscribe is not necessary. Just come by. If you do you beat the bear, you will get a drink or a bottle for free.
Wednesday 25 December (First Christmas Day ) the bar is closed.
Hands & Brains, Thursday 26 December 08:30 PM
Great minds think alike. Or two thoughts, one move. Anyway, it’s time for Hands & Brains! In teams of two one names the piece, the other makes the move. 7 minutes per team per game.
Teams can subscribe till 08:00 PM with Maarten Roorda (00316-28979404). Prizes in liquid form. Maximum of 30 participants.
Fischer Random, Friday 27 December 08:30 PM
Forget about opening theory, it’s time for Fischer Random (Chess 960)! Last year grandmaster Vojta Plat became first, winning 75 euro. Are you his successor?
Swiss tournament, 7 minutes per game, 8 rounds. First price 75 euro, second price 50 euro and third price 25 euro.
Subscribe by app or SMS till 08:00 PM with Maarten Roorda (00316-28979404). Maximum of 32 participants.
Pub quiz, Saturday 28 December 08:00 PM
Who said: ‘A question that sometimes drives me hazy — am I or are the others crazy?’ En what’s the capital of Kalmukkie?
Ben van Os of chess club Assen comes with his famous pub quiz. In Dutch(!), so make sure at least one team member is a local. Teams with a maximum five. With some chess-related questions.
Subscribe at the bar till 08:00 PM. Some money and liquid prizes.
Atom Chess, Sunday 29 December, 08:30 AM
Ever wanted to rant and rave as a Dr. Strangelove at the chessboard? Go for it!
Maarten explains the rules of this explosive variant before the tournament. Subscribe till 08:00 ‘o clock with Maarten Roorda (00316-28979404) or at the bar. Liquid prizes. Maximum 30 participants.
Guided Tour through the city center, Monday 23 December and Friday 27 December at 10:30 AM
Also, check out the guided tour through Groningen to learn to know this beautiful city. On the 23th and 27th of December, the Chess Festival organizes a free tour through the city center with experienced guide Mirjam de Boer. We start at 10:30 AM at ‘Peerd van Ome Loeks at the Central station.
The city center (Foto: Deon Prins)
