Flanders King of the Giants

Nice international youth tournament in Leiderdorp

During the weekend of 22 and 23 October, 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 Second Schutten IT Internationaal tournament “The Battle of the Giants” was again organised by Schaakvereniging Leiderdorp. Beside four Dutch clubs this year there were as well a German, a French, a Flemish and an English club. The team of SV Leiderdorp, the winner of the tournament last year, had to transfer the title to Promotie Jeugdschaak Flanders.

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 alderman Stuijt (sport and recreation) of Leiderdorp and the sponsor of the tournament, the lord Schutten of the IT-company Schutten IT, briefly said a few words to the participants the tournament could take off.
In competition A the team of Promotion Jeugdschaak Flanders won all its games and made clear that they intent to win the tournament, especially by winning the match against the strong team of Zukertort Amstelveen. In competition B the team of SV Leiderdorp met Sussex junior Chess of the United Kingdom in the first round. SV Leiderdorp made a convincing victory against them and made clear that the players of SV Leiderdorp were planning to defend there title.
In the half final on Sunday morning the Belgian team crushed the English team with 14 – 2. In the other half final Zukertort Amstelveen met SV Leiderdorp, and with all effort and with the smallest possible difference Zukertort Amstelveen could win (8,5 – 7,5).
In the final Promotie Jeugdschaak Flanders had to play again against Zukertort Amstelveen. The Flemish team turned out to be the best team. The winning team can call himself “King or the Giants” for one year. Beside the title they have earned the main goblet, accompanied of the invitation to defend the main goblet next year.

The event, including meals and lodging for the foreign players, was made financially possible by the company Schutten IT. Schutten IT is the permanent sponsor of Schaakvereniging Leiderdorp.

Results:
1. Promotie Jeugdschaak Vlaanderen (Belgium).
2. Zukertort Amstelveen
3. Sussex Junior Chess (England)
4. SV Leiderdorp
5. Promotie/Botwinnik-Combinatie Zoetermeer
6. S.H.S. Haarlem
7. Le Perchay (France)
8. Dortmunder Schachverein 1875/Mallinckrodt Gymnasium (Germany)

A lot of people had visited the side activities: many children had a good time by playing Superchess. The Superchess competition was won by Rutger van Bokhorst, Martijn Zuiddam was second and the third place belongs to Tim Hickendorff.
There was also the occasion to change yourself in a living chess piece and be photographed. During the tournament some kings, knights and bishops walked between the playing children and ensured an always changing setting.
On Sunday international master Edwin van Haastert played against fifteen people at the same time. Marco Kirana won his match against the international master and also Martijn Otten could be proud of the achieved result by means of a remise.
The chess puzzle contest was won by Roger Meng of the Promotie/Botwinnik Combination Zoetermeer. Arthur Pijpers, also from Zoetermeer, Stefan Beukema and Eva Baekelant from Promotie Jeugdschaak Flanders received all a splendid game because of their special performances.

The organisation of The Battle of the Giants can call the tournament successful and likes to organize the third Schutten International Tournament next year. RV