Retrospective: Antichess in Amsterdam

2020

Amidst dark times, Covid-19, my inbox lit up in November that year and there was @BBLGL suggesting we should join forces to create a small event for a few Dutch players to play antichess. From one thing came another and soon things exploded on the Lichess forum and IAF Discord.

Two years later, June, couple blokes meet for a weekend of antichess, went home. Two down-two-earth Dutchmen shook hands, nodded and agreed they did a decent job.

2022

I am a bit of a perfectionist. Therefore I was extremely nervous for this day. But so it was on the 11th of June 2022 that we kicked off, as I would call it, a day in the history of antichess.

@firebatprime , I suppose he was playing antichess already before Lichess was a thing? Not 100% sure on that claim, but alas, it looks nice in this blog. An amazing antichess player. I had the honor to play one OTB game during lunchbreak. To this day it is still the only OTB game I played against him and just for the record: I won. But jokes aside. One of the friendliest players you'll ever meet. I remember he also brought a different strategy game to the event: Hive. If you don't know what it is. I suggest you look it up. A fun game if you appreciate two-player strategy games.

Then there was this player who came walking through the door with a suit jacket. My first thought: "This guy is slightly overdressed for the occassion." Turned out he wasn't messing around and he obliterated the competition. Such achievements can only be done by @neverplayfastanti . Even this blog can't do justice to the amount of class this player has when it comes to antichess. Not only that, you'll come to realize you've met the most gentle soul in this community.

A less impressive entrance was by @Kex09 and @Stephiv . Unfortunately their bus was struck by an engine failure (or was it stuck in traffic?), and because of this they arrived once the first round was already finished. To this day I regret my decision to not use some of the spare time of the event to let them play the games that they had missed. Still, I'd like to highlight the charisma of these two gentlemen. @Stephiv always in for a laugh and @Kex09 with his everlasting fashion impression with the hat and black & white chess-socks.

I assure you. You have to meet @Xiped ! Probably the funniest man you'll ever meet. Hadn't met him prior to the event, but all it took was a little chitchat and would you look at that? Saturday evening we were spending a few hours in the arcade. Great times.

I can't mention everyone, but rest assured, you are not forgotten. I write this to thank all of you. Antichess won that day. The community won that day.

2023

Perhaps the most challenging year so far. Naivety led us to misjudge this year's preperation. Two months prior to the event less than 10 players had signed up. And as the day drew closer we even considered to cancel the event altogether. Luckily we didn't, and boy were we in for a treat! Shoutout to @RTPonting for mentioning @Bertfighter in the honorable mentions of the Top 10 Modern Antichess Players. 2023 was the year we saw what Bertfighter was capable of. A fight that went all the way to the finish line. @neverplayfastanti sure hasn't forgotten how he was being hunted. However sometimes the prey outruns the predator. And once more the Bulgarian stood triumphant.

2024

We always waver on how to improve the event. For the first time some critics arose within the discord about the event. Mentioning the flimsy and unfindable stream. As well as the poor catering options at the tournament. We take critic serious and try to improve where possible. Whilst there are still many things we'd like to improve. It ultimately comes down to opening your wallet and questioning yourselves how much you are willing to invest in the event. Many things seemed a bridge too far, and sadly still do. But one can only hope for the future. Still we do what we can to ensure a pleasant experience for everyone.

The event itself? 2024 was the most succesful one to date! @TenfeetTall @ChessDemon989 @mental_suicide @bwmtone @NoPebblesLeft @TheUnknownGuyReborn @Kex09 @Bertfighter @neverplayfastanti @Daarts the list goes on and on and on. What an event. Day 1, places 2 to 14 were within 2 points of each other. Day 2, to top it all off. The first sudden death match had to decide who would take home the silverware (trophy is made from glass btw). @DrunkPolo went above and beyond to secure 3rd place. @TheUnknownGuyReborn travelled halfway across the world to secure 2nd place. But this year, ladies and gentlemen. You'll find no greater performance. Amidst 35 degrees Celcius. @neverplayfastanti pushed the boundaries in OTB antichess. At no point he was threatened in his journey to victory. Preslav Petkov, don't you forget that name. This man is going places. So many amazing antichess players in one building, but still he was unfazed. 3 times in a row he secured victory.

I also like to highlight the world map that we bought. On this map we color each country that has visited the event. The idea arose because we want to highlight how this event brings so many people together from all over the world.

2025

We didnt do much to improve on what we delivered in 2024. I personally invited @Maxime109 to join the event. He did attend. And well, he was out for blood. He managed to claim the Dutch Antichess title with dominant form. Assuring everyone he is the strongest currently active Dutch antichess player. @neverplayfastanti had a rough weekend. losing and drawing games left and right. He was even outside the top 3 after day 1. It was the first time we saw @neverplayfastanti having to go in pursuit of first place. For a large portion of the event he definitely wasn't in control of the standings and was dependent on other competitors to lose points. We saw the Bulgarian under the greatest pressure yet.

Looking back at the years

I cannot thank Chessclub 'De Raadsheer' enough for what they offer each year. Their support is vital for the existence of this event. Remember that we get their venue and chess equipment for free!

You know what I liked most about the event? Having dinner with everyone on the Saturday evening. The essence of the event is to meet each other. To meet the players you always play against online. I want people to laugh, and they do so a lot during the event. A job well done I'd say. Still I would like for the event to reach greater heights. And it begs the question what we can learn from what we have done so far, but also what we should do with the time that is given us.

The greatest challenge for now is that if I want to improve the event more is that some serious investments have to be made. I contacted DGT about their products for antichess. One thing is that a complete set for antichess would cost me around €1750.- The other issue is that antichess isn't supported (yet). And given that antichess is quite small compared to regular chess. I doubt change will come soon. I've heard the various comments about the streaming we have now, I agree it's flimsy. We will improve it someday. But again, money is the issue.

The years to come

Various things have crossed my mind. One of them being that Amsterdam is expensive. Last year I went to Poland. Ate 3 courses at a restaurant for €25 whereas in the Netherlands I would have to pay €40,- (!) for the same dishes. Not to mention flight ticket prices. Would more people come to the event if we'd host the event in Poland? Or any other country for that matter that has much lower prices than the Netherlands?

2026

Oh baby, here we go! Five years already! That calls for celebrations. On the 6th and 7th of June, Amsterdam will be the stage for the 5-year-anniversary of the Amsterdam Antichess Event. @sudenurk2 , @cflour and @neverplayfastanti are just a few of the many great players that have confirmed their attendance to this tournament. You can also be part of this amazing experience! Read all about it here: https://lichess.org/team/iaf-antichess-world-championship-team

Date: 6th and 7th of June
Location: Kattenburgerstraat 150, 1018 JJ Amsterdam
Entry fee: €25

Sign up: Get in touch with us by e-mail: IAFantichessWC@gmail.com

See you there!