Frisian draughts world title match begins with a thrilling draw in the historic Statenzaal
LEEUWARDEN – The 2026 Frisian Draughts World Championship got underway on Tuesday in the impressive Statenzaal at the Provincial Government Building in Leeuwarden. In an atmospheric setting, reigning world champion Marten Walinga and challenger Taeke Kooistra played the first game of an eleven-match series. After a thrilling contest lasting over four hours, the opening game ended in a draw. The choice of the Statenzaal as the venue underlines the special nature of the championship. Since the sixteenth century, the monumental Provincial Government Building has been the political heart of Fryslân. It was precisely at this historic site, where important decisions for the province have been taken for centuries, that the contest for the highest title in Frisian draughts now began.
Prior to the match, arbiter Herbert Tulleken conducted the draw, with challenger Taeke Kooistra being assigned the white pieces. Provincial counsillor Abel Kooistra then opened the afternoon with a speech on the rich history of Fryslân and the special significance of the Statenzaal. He then made the ceremonial first move, after which the two grandmasters began their world title match.
Anyone expecting a quiet opening was soon disappointed. Reigning world champion Marten Walinga opted for a gambit as early as the fourth move, deliberately sacrificing a piece to put the game on edge straight away. Kooistra, however, refused to be drawn into complications and immediately returned the material. This led to a strategic battle in which both players spent a long time sizing each other up and, above all, tried to avoid any positional disadvantage.
Although the position looked straightforward to the audience, every move required deep calculation. It was only after more than three hours of play, in an endgame with seven pieces remaining for both players, that the analysis computer Scan – developed by the French programmer Fabien Letouzey – identified a slight positional advantage for White. However, that advantage only became apparent after a calculation extending no fewer than 37 moves deep. By then, both players were already in time trouble. Under that pressure, even Walinga was not without error. A few moves later, Kooistra missed a hidden winning line that only became apparent after an in-depth analysis. Ultimately, both grandmasters settled for a safe draw, bringing the first day of competition to a close without a winner.
The opening game immediately demonstrated why Frisian draughts is one of the most complex variants of the game. Behind a seemingly calm position, profound strategic possibilities were constantly lurking. Draughts remains a human endeavour – and that is precisely what keeps it exciting right up to the very last move.
The world title match continues on Thursday 30 July at the historic town hall in Workum, where the second game is scheduled to take place. The eleven games will be played at special historic venues in Leeuwarden, Workum and Harlingen. Those interested can not only attend the matches in person, but also follow them live worldwide via www.frisiandraughts.com, where the games will be broadcast with expert live commentary.
Photo 1: Provincial Counsillor Abel Kooistra makes the first move.
Photo 2: Taeke Kooistra and Marten Walinga play the first game in the Statenzaal.
Photos may be used freely provided that © WFD is credited
