Jan Timman, “The Best in the West,” has passed away.
Jan Timman Has Passed — A Man Who Believed Chess Transcends All Borders
Sometimes news arrives quietly, without loud headlines, yet behind it lies an entire era. On Wednesday, February 18, at the age of 74, Dutch grandmaster Jan Timman passed away. His death was reported by NOS.nl.
For some, he was just a name in chess records. For others, he symbolized an era when a calm, thoughtful Dutchman could stand opposite the world’s best players and compete on equal terms.
The Boy from Amsterdam Who Feared No Giants
Timman was born in 1951 in Amsterdam. His childhood was not shaped by state chess schools or structured training systems like many of his future Soviet rivals. He grew up in an intellectual family, read extensively, and learned early to think independently — qualities that became evident at the board.
In chess, he quickly understood the most important thing: it is not enough to know the moves — one must understand the position. This skill — the ability to feel the game — became his hallmark.
By 1972, he had achieved the grandmaster title. From there began a journey that would redefine European chess.
“The Best of the West” — Not a Nickname, but a Historical Fact
In the 1980s, the chess world was almost entirely dominated by the Soviet school. Anatoly Karpov won repeatedly, followed by Garry Kasparov, and it seemed impossible to change the balance.
Yet it was during this time that Jan Timman became known as The Best of the West. He did more than participate in tournaments — he won, reached the final stages of Candidates cycles, regularly faced the strongest players, and never appeared as a mere statistic.
His games were followed not only as sporting events but almost as symbolic clashes between schools and approaches to chess.
World No. 2 — Without the Fanfares
In 1982, Timman reached the second spot in the world rankings. For the Netherlands, this was a national milestone.
Yet he never gave the impression of someone obsessed with fame. He remained composed, focused, and calm. He was respected for the depth of his analysis and his honest evaluation of his own play.
He was not a player of a single brilliant season — he stayed in the elite for years.
The Wijk aan Zee Tournament: A Stage He Called Home
A special place in his career was the tournament now known as the Tata Steel Chess Tournament.
Victories in 1981 and 1985 were particularly meaningful. Playing before a home crowd, against top opponents, in intense battles — and with Timman’s confident play — these tournaments solidified his status as the Netherlands’ leading chess figure.
For many fans, it was there that he became a living legend.
One Step Away from the World Crown
In 1993, Timman played a World Championship match against Anatoly Karpov. It was a long journey through Candidates tournaments, setbacks, and comebacks.
Yes, the title remained with Karpov. But the very fact that Timman competed in a championship match forever etched his name into chess history. He proved that a grandmaster from the Netherlands could stand alongside the strongest players in the world.
His Style — Boldness and Logic
Timman did not play “by the book.” He loved complex positions that required more than move calculation — he sought to understand the structure. He knew how to take risks when he sensed the initiative.
There was a sense of exploration in his games, as if each one tried to reveal something new. He was unafraid of mistakes but always aimed for meaningful play.
Beyond tournaments, he wrote books and analyses, sharing his thoughts. For many young players, his writings became a true school of chess thinking.
What Remains After the Grandmaster
With Jan Timman’s passing, the chess world lost not only a titled player. It lost a man who represented a generation — a time when chess was an arena of intellectual contest, and every game told a story.
He was not the loudest, most scandalous, or most flamboyant, but he was genuine — profound, principled, and respected.
Today, his games are still studied, his name cited in textbooks, and his contribution to European chess cannot be overstated.
Jan Timman has passed. But his board, his ideas, and his style remain an enduring part of chess memory.