Streaming chess

if there hadn't been covid restrictions, my son and I would now have been to the biggest and most beautiful chess tournament we know. him as a player, I as a faithful caretaker and accompanist. it has been canceled for two years now for the amateur groups in which about 1500 players participate in three different tournaments. the grandmasters do play, and they can be followed live via a livestream. My son loves it (and streams it to the tv), but it cannot be compared with the crazy atmosphere that normally prevails in such a room. amateurs can work their way up by winning their tournament, getting a closer place closer to the grandmasters seats every year. there isn't a lot of room between the chessboards, but E, with wheelchair and all, simply moves up his deserved places towards the magical highest stage. Also in the village Wijk aan Zee itself there is a special atmosphere that 16 days: everything revolves around chess, even in the supermarket, where you can just stand in line behind one of the grandmasters.
I can only hope and keep my fingers crossed that E can play this tournament again. in addition to being great, it is also incredibly heavy. the last two years, E has definitely not got any stronger physically and things don't get any easier. but: we are especially grateful that he was able to play this tournament at least 9 times, because it is fantastic to be a part of. and he is very determent to play again on this tournament. and that's a good thing for his spirit and moral. fingers crossed for more TataSteel Chess Tournaments!

Extra’s: first year playing, 11years ago, seat far away from the grandmasters. The place as it should be, with amateurs, public and masters in the same room, and E playing 3 years ago, crossed over the room since his first year…