Many years ago I visited a cafe named "Ledig Erf" in the Dutch city of Utrecht, where a group of regulars were playing chess at a decent level.
Chess cafe's in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany
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I’ll keep Ledig Erf on my bucket list (tho some Dutch articles indicate that the chess scene might have disappeared there).
For these days I found a hotel in Amsterdam just between chess cafe’s Het Hok and De Laurierboom.
I am in Het Hok now and they do have chess boards on the wall and chess sets available. There is one guy playing at the moment. But that guy is me, so I think that doesn’t count.
For these days I found a hotel in Amsterdam just between chess cafe’s Het Hok and De Laurierboom.
I am in Het Hok now and they do have chess boards on the wall and chess sets available. There is one guy playing at the moment. But that guy is me, so I think that doesn’t count.
That's funny. I hope you found someone to play chess with at Het Hok.
Het Hok is a nice place, but if you are looking for chess, chess and chess it’s De Laurierboom where you have to be. Nice atmosphere, mix of locals and a few tourists, a lovely bartender and chess on almost every occupied table. Woepwoep!
Thanks for the tip. My wife and I pass through Amsterdam once every 2-3 years, so hopefully I can check out De Laurierboom one day.
Thanks for the great recommendations! If you're ever in the Netherlands, especially Amsterdam, you might want to explore some of the local chess cafes mentioned here, perfect spots for a relaxed day of chess and maybe even some study time. I'll definitely keep De Laurierboom and Het Hok in mind for my next visit, especially for exploration at Scheveningen.
I have a few days off next week and I see myself playing and studying in a bar. Any advise where to go in or around the Netherlands? Preferably with day time opening hours.