Jan Timman (1951–2026): Dutch Chess Legend and World Championship Challenger
The chess world says goodbye to Jan Timman, who passed away on February 18, 2026, at the age of 74. FIDE and the global chess community mourn the loss of one of the greatest Dutch players in history.
Timman was a nine-time Dutch Champion. He was one of the strongest players in the world from the late 1970s to the early 1990s. He was also a multiple-time Candidates participant and a former World Championship challenger.
He will always be remembered for his creative playing style, fighting spirit, and deep love for chess.
Early Life and Rise in Chess
Jan Timman was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in 1951. He learned chess at the age of eight. Very soon, his talent became clear. In 1967, at just 15 years old, he won the bronze medal at the World Junior Championship in Jerusalem. This was his first major international success.
He became an International Master in 1971. In 1974, he earned the Grandmaster title. He became only the third Dutch Grandmaster after Max Euwe and Jan Hein Donner. That same year, he won his first Dutch Championship title.
The Best of the West
During the 1970s and 1980s, Timman became one of the strongest players in the world. He won or shared first place in many top international tournaments, including:
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Hastings 1973/74
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Sombor 1974
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Netanya 1975
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Reykjavík 1976
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Amsterdam IBM 1978
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Nikšić 1978
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Vidmar Memorial 1979
At his peak, Timman was known as “The Best of the West.” He was the strongest non-Soviet player in the world at the time. In 1982, he reached world number two in the rankings. Only Anatoly Karpov was ahead of him.
Throughout the 1980s, he continued winning major events like:
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Wijk aan Zee
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Linares
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Euwe Memorial
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1989 World Cup in Rotterdam
He also shared victories with legendary players like Viktor Korchnoi.
World Championship Journey
Timman’s dream was to become World Chess Champion. He first entered the World Championship cycle in 1972. In 1985, he qualified for the Candidates after winning the Interzonal in Taxco. His greatest moment came in 1993. He played the 1993 FIDE World Championship match against Anatoly Karpov.
The match was organized by FIDE after the famous split between Kasparov and Short. Although Timman lost the match, reaching the World Championship final remains one of the greatest achievements in Dutch chess history.
Olympiad Hero for the Netherlands
Jan Timman proudly represented the Netherlands in 13 Chess Olympiads between 1972 and 2004. He played on the top board 11 times. In 1976, he won the gold medal for the best individual performance on board one. He was a true leader of Dutch chess for decades.
Author, Editor, and Chess Artist
Timman was not just a player. He was also a respected chess writer and editor. He worked for New In Chess magazine for many years. He wrote several famous chess books, including:
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The Art of Chess Analysis (1980)
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The Art of Attacking Chess (2014)
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Timman’s Titans (2016)
He was also a brilliant endgame study composer. Few top grandmasters have contributed so deeply to both practical play and chess composition.
World Chess Hall of Fame Induction
In October 2025, Jan Timman was inducted into the World Chess Hall of Fame. This honor recognized his lifelong contributions to chess as a player, author, and ambassador of the game.
A Lasting Legacy
Jan Timman leaves behind a powerful legacy. He inspired generations of chess players in the Netherlands and around the world. His games remain models of creativity and fighting spirit. His books continue to educate and inspire. The chess world will never forget him. FIDE and the global chess family extend their deepest condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones.
Photos: FIDE_Chess
Source: FIDE CHESS NEWS
