Henri Weenink

Henri Gerard Marie Weenink was born in Amsterdam in 1892. He learned chess at the age of six, and his headmaster H.J. den Hertog probably had some influence on his play. He studied mathematics and physics and became bachelor of science in 1914. On mobilization he served as reserve lieutenant in the infantry during World War I until 1917, when he resumed his studies at the University of Amsterdam, and worked as a mathematician. Later he became a professional chess player. According to Lodewijk Prins, his ashen face was full of carbuncles. After his sudden death in 1931, his chess activities were described with great sympathy by Euwe, Niemeijer, Rueb and Van Trotsenburg in a memorial book. During his highschool years, he became active as a problem solver and started his great composing career. In the FIDE Album he has 14 points. His famous book "Het schaakprobleem, ideeen en scholen" was published in 1921. An enlarged version in English "The chess problem", was published later. His last important act was founding the "Nederlandsche Bond van Probleemvrienden", an organization of Dutch problem friends that still flourishes. After World war I, Weenink became a strong player, who participated successfully in international events. He had a sharp, combinative style. Although Euwe was clearly the strongest player, Weenink was one of the few Dutch players, who defeated him more than once. Weenink was also a chess educator. His generosity led to chess lessons in prisons. Weenink was active as a chess author. He was problem editor of "Op de hoogte" and "Tijdschrift", chess editor of the "Oprechte Haarlemsche Courant" and editor of the French chess journal "L´Echiquier". About his studies: His endgame studies make an articstic and sublte impression. They might seem simple, but they are far from simplistic. His work has been an inspiration for many composers, and it was reworked several times by others. Info taken from book "Endgame study composing in the Netherlands and Flanders" by Jan van Reek and Henk van Donk