On Monday, August 18, Hoogeveen once again took center stage in the world of international draughts. In the sports hall of the Activum, where just yesterday Grandmaster Darya Tkachenko claimed the Blitz World Championship, the debut edition of the Superblitz World Championship was held. With a fast-paced time control of just three minutes per game plus two seconds per move, excitement was guaranteed—and it delivered spectacularly for both the audience and the local Hoogeveen fans. While the world champion, Natalia Sadowska, is not Dutch, she is considered a Hoogeveen player, having represented the organizing club for ten consecutive years.
The morning, following the official opening by Chief Arbiter Vera Brunink and Sports Alderman Ronald Klok, featured eight preliminary rounds in which the world’s top players, Dutch talents, and dark horses displayed their skills to the audience. Ukrainian Grandmaster Viktoriya Motrichko quickly established herself at the top, scoring 13 points from 8 games. Close behind, Polish players Marta Bankowska—who narrowly missed the knockouts yesterday—and top favorite Natalia Sadowska secured their spots in the knockout stage. The preliminaries ended on a Dutch and Hoogeveen note: Lisa Scholtens, just 20 years old and representing the DroomDamsters foundation, which organizes the tournament, finished third after a stunning final sprint, earning a place in the semifinals.
The knockout stage brought intense battles. In one semifinal, Sadowska defeated Motrichko. After winning the first game, she tactically drew the second to secure a 3–1 victory and a place in the final. The other semifinal was a thriller between Scholtens and Bankowska. After two draws, the third game would decide the outcome. Lisa managed a brilliant combination in the second round to force a draw “from the gates of hell” and ultimately triumphed 4–2, advancing to the final—a remarkable achievement for the young Hoogeveen-based candidate master.
In the consolation final, Motrichko claimed bronze by defeating Bankowska 3–1, leaving her with two bronze medals over the two-day event—a slightly disappointing result compared to her expectations.
The grand finale delivered a clear result: Natalia Sadowska defeated Lisa Scholtens. In front of the audience and hundreds of livestream viewers, Sadowska demonstrated her elite skills with two razor-sharp games, showing why she has long been among the world’s best. Scholtens fought bravely but ultimately had to concede defeat. With this victory, Natalia Sadowska claimed her first Superblitz World Championship title.
During the award ceremony, Sadowska beamed as she praised the Hoogeveen draughts club, saying: “Hoogeveen is special to me; it feels like my third home. This year is even more special as I’ve played here for ten consecutive years. Who knows—maybe there will be a celebration.” She also complimented her finalist opponent, stating that after yesterday “a draughts beast has awakened in her.” Natalia, one of the greatest female draughts players ever, has multiple world titles to her name, and Damclub Hoogeveen can be proud to have such a top player.
Lisa Scholtens also stood proudly on the podium, thrilled with her silver medal from a dream tournament. “The best moment for me was when I executed the combination that took me to the final—it hit me that I was playing for the world title,” she said. Her remarkable performance proves that the new generation of Dutch players is ready to challenge the world’s elite. Viktoriya Motrichko completed the podium with bronze.
With two days of high-level competition, including the Blitz World Championship and the debut of the Superblitz World Championship, Hoogeveen can look back on an event of absolute world-class quality. The combination of elite sport, a beautifully arranged venue, excellent facilities, dedicated staff, and professional livestreaming allowed draughts enthusiasts worldwide to experience the excitement, tension, and emotion of the event.
