Hoogeveen the battlefield for Women’s World Blitz Draughts Championship

Source: Hoogeveense courant

Hoogeveen – On Sunday, August 17 and Monday, August 18, 2025, Hoogeveen will be the focal point of the international draughts world. The modern Activum sports complex, located in the Bentinckspark, will host the Basalt Women’s World Blitz and Superblitz Championship. During this prestigious tournament, the best female draughts players in the world will face off in lightning-fast matches where strategy and speed go hand in hand.

On Thursday, the official kickoff was held at the Hoogeveen town hall by alderman Ronald Klok. The official documents were signed, and the first match was symbolically played.

DroomDamsters and Fitter Brein: the driving forces behind the World Championship
The championship is made possible through the efforts of two leading organizations: DroomDamsters and Fitter Brein. DroomDamsters focuses on strengthening and promoting girls’ and women’s draughts, aiming to engage more girls and women in the sport. The initiative offers young talents the opportunity to grow, compete internationally, and inspire the next generation.

Fitter Brein emphasizes the social and mental power of mind sports such as draughts. This social foundation aims to raise awareness about mental fitness and social connectedness, viewing draughts as a powerful tool for young and old alike. After all, draughts is an accessible game for everyone!

Young Hoogeveen women at the helm
The World Championship is organized by three young leading figures from the Hoogeveense Damclub. Twenty-year-old Lisa Scholtens, three-time world champion and European champion, is both a player and co-organizer of the tournament. Together with Nicole de Vries (21), European champion, chairwoman of DroomDamsters, and also a participant, she is the driving force behind this unique event. Vera Brunink (21), serving as tournament director and referee, is responsible for the athletic and technical execution of the championship.

“It’s an honor to be involved in this world championship. Draughts is a sport that demands strategy, patience, and perseverance, and it’s wonderful to see how women in this sport continue to grow and raise the bar. I’m proud that something like this is happening in my own city,” says Vera, who is eagerly looking forward to the event.

Hoogeveen: city of mind sports
Hoogeveen is not only a dynamic city with a vibrant cultural life but also a place where sports – and especially mind sports – play a key role. The municipality actively invests in sports, including draughts. Alderman Roland Klok: “It’s fantastic that we get to welcome the Women’s World Blitz and Superblitz Draughts Championship here in Hoogeveen. It shows how sport brings people together and inspires. The fact that this event is being organized by our young female talents, all under the age of 22, makes me especially proud. It shows what you can achieve when you follow your passion.” The Hoogeveense Damclub (HDC) is one of the most active and successful draughts clubs in the Netherlands. Whit a strong youth program and a rich tradition in national and international competitions, Hoogeveen truly breathes draughts.

From August 11 to 16, the 16th edition of the Hoogeveen Open, an international draughts tournament, will also take place at the Activum. Draughts players of all levels will compete for an entire week on the draughts board.

Followed Worldwide
Whit its rich draughts tradition, Hoogeveen is the perfect setting for this world championship. Thanks to livestreams, the event can be followed around the world, allowing fans everywhere to enjoy the spectacular blitz and superblitz matches. The organization anticipates an exciting, accessible, and inspiring tournament for everyone.

Want to contribute?
We want to make this tournament a great success – and we could use all the help we can get! If this appeals to you and you’d like to contribute, you can sponsor a draughts board starting from just €50! Both individuals and businesses are welcome to support the event. For more information, visit: https://wkvblitz.kndb.nl/sponsor-us/.

More information
All information about the tournament can be found at wkvblitz.kndb.nl. Information about the Hoogeveen Open is available at https://www.hoogeveenopen.nl.