Kings Queens and Rookies

This Kings Queens and Rookies is an English-language hardcover book about the Tata Steel Chess tournament in Wijk aan Zee, and it stands out for showing the event not only through games and results, but also through the people, place and atmosphere around it.

What this book covers

Every winter, the world’s strongest players and the most promising young talents gather in the small Dutch seaside town of Wijk aan Zee for two weeks of chess. Over the years, the tournament has welcomed world champions and produced winners such as Garry Kasparov, Vishy Anand and Magnus Carlsen.

The book captures an event that is more than an elite tournament. It is also a fixture for the local community and the wider chess world, with amateurs playing their own games in the same place and fans following live broadcasts with expert commentary.

Inside the 85th edition

Published for the 85th edition of Tata Steel Chess in 2023, this 160-page book looks at the event from several angles. It combines the story of the winners with coverage of the amateur events, local surroundings and the everyday life that builds up around the chess festival.

It also includes photographs and annotated games with comments by the winners, making it a useful record of a major modern chess event as well as a book to read and revisit.

Authors

Erwin l'Ami is a Dutch grandmaster and a regular participant in Wijk aan Zee.

Peter Doggers is News and Events Director at Chess.com.

Dirk Jan ten Geuzendam is editor-in-chief of New In Chess.

Peter Boel is managing editor of New In Chess books.

For readers interested in tournament chess, chess history and the atmosphere around a major international event, this is a fitting addition to a chess library.

Key details

• Product type: hardcover chess book
• Language: English
• Binding: hardcover
• Pages: 160
• Event: Tata Steel Chess
• Location: Wijk aan Zee, the Netherlands
• Edition: 85th edition
• Subject: tournament games, winners, amateur events and the festival atmosphere