Walinga Levels World Championship Match with Convincing Victory in Harlingen
HARLINGEN, The Netherlands – The battle for the 2026 World Frisian Draughts Championship is wide open once again. Reigning world champion Marten Walinga drew level in the title match on Tuesday by defeating challenger Taeke Kooistra in the sixth game. Played in the historic Town Hall of Harlingen, the victory erased Walinga's one-point deficit and leaves the match perfectly balanced with five games remaining.
The move to Harlingen marked the start of the final phase of the championship and provided a fitting backdrop for the contest. On behalf of the Municipality of Harlingen, Councillor Hendrik Sijtsma welcomed the players and spectators before making the ceremonial opening move in the historic council chamber, where the remaining games will determine the 2026 world champion.
Trailing by a single point, Walinga immediately signalled his intentions by choosing the Meike opening, the oldest recorded gambit in Frisian draughts. Kooistra accepted the sacrifice and briefly enjoyed a material advantage, but as tradition dictates in this classic opening, the extra piece was soon returned to preserve a balanced and playable position.
The game then evolved into a highly strategic flank battle in which both grandmasters were forced to calculate deeply. Rather than material, the key factor became the distribution of the pieces across both wings of the board. Walinga even attempted to tempt his opponent into an apparently attractive breakthrough to king, but Kooistra recognised the danger and calmly defused the threat.
Gradually, however, the initiative shifted in Walinga's favour. His previously inactive right-wing pieces sprang to life and began exerting increasing pressure on Kooistra's advanced formations. Seeking relief, the challenger opted for a central exchange, but the manoeuvre only strengthened Walinga's attacking prospects.
When Kooistra then tried to seize the initiative himself, the world champion responded with precision. A seemingly natural defensive move proved to be a decisive error, allowing Walinga to unleash a beautifully calculated combination that forced an unstoppable breakthrough. Realising there was no defence, Kooistra resigned immediately.
The victory levels the match and sets the stage for a thrilling conclusion. Although the momentum has shifted towards the reigning champion, the race for the world title remains completely open. With five games still to be played, every move—and every mistake—could prove decisive.
It wasn’t just the players, in the sweltering Council Chamber, who had to push themselves to the limit. The live-stream commentators, too, braved tropical temperatures in the Citizens’ Hall to provide expert commentary on the games. Whilst the players calculated their variations, Jouke Algra and International Grandmaster Alexander Shvartsman continuously analysed the many hidden possibilities concealed within the complex positions. Their expert commentary gave the many online viewers a unique insight into the strategic richness of the Frisian draughts game.
The world title match in Harlingen continues until Sunday. With the score now completely level again, the conclusion of the World Championship Match promises to be incredibly exciting.
Photo 1: Councillor Hendrik Sijtsma opens the sixth match game
Photo 2: The match players, Kooistra and Walinga, and referee Piet Sikma
Photo 3: Taeke Kooistra and Marten Walinga playing in the Council Chamber of Harlingen Town Hall
