Nice international youth tournament in Leiderdorp

During the weekend of 17 and 18 November 2007, youth chess players from five European countries fought in Leiderdorp for the title “King of the Giants”, a goblet and a price of 400 euro The third TSS International tournament “The Battle of the Giants” was again organized by Schaakvereniging Leiderdorp. Beside four Dutch clubs this year there were as well a German, a French, a Flemish and an English club. The English team (Sussex Junior Chess) won all there matches with large numbers and may call herself “The King of The Giants” for the next two years. The team of SV Leiderdorp (in 2005 fourth) finished this tournament in second place, because of a victory against Zukertort in the last round. Zukertort ended in third position. The King of 2005, the Flemish team, reached the finals, but ended in fourth position.

All the eight participating clubs had formed a team of sixteen players, divided in four age categories of eight up to eighteen years. The games took place in the form of mass camps between these complete teams.

After mister Zonnevylle, mayor of Leiderdorp, briefly said a few words to the participants the tournament could take off.

In competition A the team of Sussex Junior Chess won all games and made clear that they intent to win the tournament, especially by winning the match against the strong team of Zukertort Amstelveen. The English team took the result against Zukertort (12-4) with them to the next round. In competition B the team of Promotie Jeugdschaak Vlaanderen (Belgium) show that they were ready to defend there title. They won Competition B, but lost there match against SV Leiderdorp. So SV Leiderdorp took a 9-7 victory with them to the finals. The other teams had to play for places five till eight.

On Sunday morning the team of SV Leiderdorp was no match for the English team. Zukertort won against the Belgian team, so Sussex has 4 match points and SV Leiderdorp and Zukertort both 2 match points. In the last match Sussex crushed the Belgian team and made very clear that they had the best team of the tournament. Zukertort and SV Leiderdorp fought for the second place. SV Leiderdorp won with 10,5 to 5,5 and ended with four match points in second place.

The English team may call herself “The King of The Giants” for the next two years. During the award giving the alderman of Leiderdorp and mister Vermeend of TSS Cross Media Group Gouda gave the first place goblet, 400 euros and a crown (with the eight club logos) to Sussex Junior Chess. They invited the champions to defend there title in 2009! On the end of the tournament mister Vermeend announced a new sponsorship for 2009!

The event, including meals and lodging for the foreign players, was made financially possible by the company door TSS Cross Media Group from Gouda, hotel Tulip Inn Leiderdorp and the city council of Leiderdorp.

Results:
1. Sussex Junior Chess (England)
2. SV Leiderdorp
3. Zukertort Amstelveen
4. Promotie Jeugdschaak Vlaanderen (Belgium).
5. Stadt Auswahl Dortmund (Germany)
6. VAS Amsterdam
7. De Schaakmaat Apeldoorn
8. Le Perchay (France)

The organization of The Battle of the Giants can call the tournament successful and likes to organize the fourth International Tournament in 2009. RV