The Sponsor (Paperback)

The Sponsor: Murder at the North Sea Chess Tournament is an English-language paperback chess novel that combines a crime thriller with the tense atmosphere of a major international event. Written by Fred Das and Jeroen Terlingen, it is a strong choice for readers who enjoy chess-themed fiction with a murder mystery at its centre.

What the story is about

The story unfolds at the North Sea Chess Tournament, where the field includes a North Korean woman making her first appearance in the event, along with a Dutch talent, Christiaan N'Koulou, and a range of other memorable competitors. As the tournament develops, the tension rises both over the board and away from it, with even the secret services drawn into the plot.

When an American chess player is found dead in a bathroom on the rest day, sponsor Godfried has to step in to help save the event, while also putting his own life at risk. The Sponsor works as both a chess novel and an international crime thriller.

Why read it

The book is based on notes from one of the sponsors, who spent more than ten years observing the behind-the-scenes world of the Hoogovens-Corus-Tata Steel tournament. That background gives the story a convincing tournament setting and captures the pressure, psychology and relationships that shape events like this.

For chess readers, the appendix with comments on the games mentioned in the story adds an extra layer of interest. It is a useful addition if you want more than the plot alone.

Edition information

• Language: English
• Format: paperback
• Page count: 224 pages
• Authors: Fred Das and Jeroen Terlingen

Key details

• Product type: paperback chess novel
• Title: The Sponsor: Murder at the North Sea Chess Tournament
• Authors: Fred Das and Jeroen Terlingen
• Language: English
• Format: paperback
• Page count: 224 pages
• Setting: North Sea Chess Tournament
• Included item: appendix with game comments