Maarten van ‘t Kruijs

pgn-file of Van 't Kruijs games (two are annotated, 16k)

Maarten van ‘t Kruijs was born in Uithoorn on 18 February 1813. His father was a trader in turf. Maarten moved to Amsterdam at a young age and worked as an organist. He had learned chess in his place of birth and stayed fascinated by the game. 

Amsterdam 1851 was his first recorded tournament. He defeated Heijmans in the final. Seven of his games were presented in the tournament book. The knockout tournament was played in the Leesmuseum at the Rokin.

Amsterdam 1852 had a special content. Baron van der Hoeven, a nephew of Graaf van Zuylen van Nyevelt, applied an idea of his uncle. The position of the pieces in the initial position was resolved by chance. Fischer would call this game ‘random chess’. Seven players from Philidor and the Baron played an all-play-all tournament. Draws were replayed. Coopman, Heijmans, Van der Hoeven and Van ‘t Kruijs scored well. Maarten won the event, when he defeated Heijmans. He got a Chinese chess board and pieces. 

Leesmuseum in Amsterdam	Bourse of Zocher	Open carriage before the Bourse

A great event was the visit of Anderssen to Amsterdam from 12 until 17 July 1861. When Adolf arrived in an open carriage, the Dutch flag waved on the Beurs van Zocher at the Damrak. He was welcomed by the club ASG with a great diner. Anderssen would play twenty-six games during his visit and score nineteen wins, two draws and five losses. His games with Van ‘t Kruijs were the highlight. Although Anderssen scored five wins, two draws and one loss, he regarded his opponent as one of the ten best rivals in his career. Van ‘t Kruijs won the first game. Maarten was no match for Anderssen in short tactical games, but he scored a draw in a closed position. The seventh game also ended in a draw on the last day. Van ‘t Kruijs had a won position but repeated the moves. Anderssen spoke praising words and could catch a train in time. The gentleman Van ‘t Kruijs was a merchant during those days.

He won Amsterdam 1878. His seven games were published in the Jaarboekje. He played with Bird in 1880 and defeated Loman in his last game. Van ‘t Kruijs has been described as a sturdy man in appearance and chess style. He pushed his mighty pawns forwards with a firm patience. Many opponents were crushed by connected passed pawns. He died in Amsterdam on 30 March 1885.