en computerschaak
I have not seen this video recording about the 3rd User Tournament for over 20 years. Then, of course, it is always a surprise what you get to see. On May 19 and 20, 2001 we played a whole weekend in Leiden (Netherlands). Quite spicy, because together with Frans Brent I had to travel twice from Tilburg to Leiden. All together almost 500 kilometers. The tournament was very strong this time and I will try to name the 14 participants with their chess computers.
Arnold Heesbeen - Mephisto Exclusive MM V 5 MHz
Cock de Gorter - Tasc R30 (sometimes operated by Hans van der Zijden)
Frans Brent - Saitek Barracuda
Hein Veldhuis - Mephisto München Polgar 5 Mhz (sometimes operated by Alfons Termaat)
Jan Krabbenbos - Mephisto Berlin Pro 68020
Jan Louwman - Mephisto Exclusive Magellan (operated by an external user)
John Dijkstra - Novag Super Expert C (5 or 6 MHz?)
John van der Hoeven - Mephisto Atlanta
Louis van Bever - Mephisto Bavaria Lyon 68020
Peter Schimmelpennink - Saitek Cougar
Ries van Leeuwen - Mephisto Montreux
Rob van Son - Mephisto Berlin Pro 68020
Walther Kapelhof - Mephisto Milano
André van Ark - Mephisto Senator
Who the operator of Jan Louwman's Mephisto Magellan was will always remain a bit of a mystery. I discussed this subject with Rob van Son, and it was probably an acquaintance of Jan Louwman who helped out as an operator for once. A photo of this unknown man was taken during the tournament, but he was never seen again at a CSVN tournament after Jan's death. Meanwhile, Jan himself participated in the tournament for the programmers it seems?
There were also a few familiar spectators walking around such as Joop Hooglugt and Alfons Termaat who occasionally operated my Mephisto Polgar during filming. Cobie, Jan Louwman's wife, was also in the limelight. In between we also see some images from the tournament of the programmers. Back then with those huge fat screens. As always there is a very friendly atmosphere. That is also the reason why the tournament still exists in 2024!
During the awards ceremony, I hear that Ries won third place with his Montreux. Rob scored second place with his Berlin Pro and Jan Louwman won first place with the Magellan. During the awards ceremony we see chess programmers Vincent Diepeveen and Frans Morsch looking on interestedly, Frans really being a rarity to find him in the mind sports center. The Leiden mind sports center at the Robijnstraat no longer exists. Leiden chess, checkers, bridge and go-players have been looking for years for a new home for their mind sport associations.
See: Denksportcentrum Leiden nog onzeker over nieuwe locatie (17 oktober 2023)
(Mind sports center Leiden still unsure about new location)
External weblink
3e gebruikerstoernooi 19/20 mei 2001 te Leiden
(CSVN Supplement Site)
Kind regards from, Hein Veldhuis, dated December 6, 2024 and rewritten on January 9, 2025