Paul van der Sterren feels at home on the hallowed ground of the Apollohal

This afternoon, retired Grandmaster Paul van der Sterren gave a simultaneous exhibition against 20 enthusiastic chess players at the Apollohal. He won 14 games, drew 3, and lost 3. I caught up with him afterwards.

How do you think it went, Paul?

'One advantage of getting older, I’ve noticed, is that people seem to approach you with more goodwill—often even with genuine pleasure. Perhaps it’s because you’re no longer a threat to them, or maybe they’re just happy to see you one more time—after all, you never know. You’ve essentially become a little piece of nostalgia. Then again, it might also be because I personally enjoy human interaction much more now than I did back when I was a hard-nosed professional—a time when, much like Jimmy Connors, the only thought that crossed my mind upon seeing another chess player was: "You’re going down." That era is, fortunately—and perhaps unfortunately—behind me. Regardless, I thoroughly enjoyed today—my visit to the Amsterdam Chess Open. Not just the simultaneous exhibition, but also the people I spoke with—it was wonderful!'

What did you think of the level of opposition?

'I was actually quite surprised that my opponents in the exhibition didn’t sabotage their own positions as quickly as I recall them doing in the past. Clearly, a lot has changed. These club players today are incredibly strong! Still, at the cost of a queen, a rook, a bishop, and three draws, I managed to make a few people happy. And, fortunately, I even managed to win a few games myself.'

Edward Veuger, vrijwilliger bij het Max Euwe Centrum, scoorde een mooie remise

As a friend of our tournament, you wrote a wonderful piece for us about the chess history that unfolded at the Apollohal in 1954. Does ACO do justice to that history?

'It was a delight to stand in the main playing hall. The organizers have truly gone to great lengths to keep the memory of that legendary 1954 Olympiad alive—sourcing and prominently displaying magnificent photographs, and even putting together a booklet. It goes to show how this organizing team thinks of absolutely everything, striving to make everything even more beautiful than it already is. Jan, Marjolein, and the rest of the team—you’ve done a fantastic job. Shall we do it all again next year?'

Paul shakes hands with ACO chairman Jan Timmerman