The super showdown has begun! Four teams and plenty of star players!
A few years ago, the format of one of Europe’s most colorful and atmospheric competitions was changed. The Dutch Team Championship has always captured the attention of draughts players worldwide. And after an important change was added to the rules—namely, that the championship medals would be decided in an additional final featuring the top four teams following the main tournament—interest in the event grew even more.
:The first round kicked off this Saturday (March 21, 2026). It turned out to be a tense and exciting match. As a reminder, the top four teams from the 2025–2026 season advanced to the finals. WSDV, VBI Huissen , Hijken DTC , Damstra Damteam . Ahead of the final, we’ve noticed some changes in certain teams. Let’s take a look at the rosters and team captains, who are familiar to most draughts players around the world.
\Team WSDV : Emre Hageman, Jan Groenendijk, Simon Harmsma, Alexander Baliakin, Alexander Shvartsman. This is arguably the most star-studded team. Any one of the players listed could tip the balance in their favor in a crucial match. Last year (2025), the club’s team finished in second place, losing to DamCombinatie Fryslân in the final.
Team VBI Huissen :Thomy Lucien Mbongo , Jos Stokkel, Vadim Virny, Johan Krajenbrink. This year, the team is fielding a balanced lineup without any top-tier stars. Last year, the club’s team failed to reach the championship game and finished in sixth place, losing to the top three teams.
Team Hijken DTC : Kevin Machtelinck, Martin Dolfing , Hans Jansen , Auke Scholma , Roel Boomstra, Jean Marc Ndjofang, Wouter Sipma. A team with a rich history and high ambitions. It’s hard to tell which player might make a mistake and give the opponent an opening. The 2025 champions.
Team Damstra Damteam : Roberts Misans, Guntis Valneris, Kees Thijssen, Hein Meijer, Harm Wiersma. This is a well-rounded team; most of the players prefer a conservative style of play, but they also have players who excel at aggressive play. Last year, they competed under a different name and finished in 2nd place in the main tournament. However, they finished in 4th place in the finals.
So, let’s make some predictions and keep an eye on the results. Results
| Highlights from the first round | |
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Round 1, Johan Sterrenburg – Roberts Misans 2-0
Dutch Teamcompetition KNDB 2025/2026 How should this position be assessed on White’s turn? The pin and limited number of moves restrict White’s options. A brief analysis of the position suggests a plan involving the move 1. 47-42 to create a threat, and in response to Black’s 1…… 4-10, sacrificing a checker with 2. 35-30! 24:35 3. 33-28, attempting to regain the pawn and reorganize the position. In the game, White decided to rush and immediately sacrificed the pawn.
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Round 1, Johan Sterrenburg – Roberts Misans 2-0
Dutch Teamcompetition KNDB 2025/2026 In the resulting position, Black could have continued with 14-19, leading to a mutually dangerous game. But… Black played 4. …. 11-16??, and White seized the opportunity, executing a combination that led to victory. 4. ….. 11-16?? 5. 29-24! 20:29 6. 34:23 18:29 7. 40-34! 29:49 8. 37-31 49:21 9. 26:10 Х |
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Round 1, Odin Mol – Roland Kreeft 2-0
Dutch Teamcompetition KNDB 2025/2026 The only decisive game in the crucial match between VBI Huissen and Hijken DTC. A single mistake in a rather tricky position. Black is to move in this position. The most paradoxical thing is that despite Black’s passive piece placement, they still have ways to save the game. One computer program shows that even the move 1….. 14-20 leads to a draw! But even after Black’s move 1……. 8-12, there is still a draw. The game continued as follows:
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