Jon Speelman: Battles with Jan

In his latest column, Jon Speelman reflects on the career and personality of Dutch GM Jan Timman following the news of his passing. Speelman recalls their encounters over the board, including games from their 1989 Candidates’ match in London. “Away from the board, Jan was always excellent company and I always thought that he was one of the very nicest of the generation just a few years older than me”. | Pictured: Jan Timman at the 1996 Hoogovens Tournament in Wijk aan Zee | Photo: Fotopersbureau De Boer / Noord-Hollands Archief