Damkunst is a platform launched in August 2023 on which an extensive game analysis appears at least ten times a year. In an impassioned article, (grand)masters or other strong draughts players guide their readers through a –mostly recently played– draughts game.
They explain the chosen strategy, get inside the players' heads and show why certain moves were (not) played. They also show –sometimes advised to by draughts programmes– beautiful variants that could have been on the board.
Game analyses are made using Turbo Dambase. Replaying the analyses is possible thanks to Lidraughts technology. Besides this website, Damkunst's content is distributed through channels such as Toernooibase, Lidraughts and social media such as Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp and YouTube.
The analyses provided by Damkunst are free, but not for nothing. The main costs are in authors' fees, the website and having texts translated. Do you enjoy the game analyses, and can you miss a few euros? Then please consider a (periodic) donation . For 50 euros a year, you become a "Friend of Damkunst" and you will be the first to hear that a new analysis is ready.
* The Dutch word "dam" refers to the game of draughts and "kunst" is the Dutch word for art.
Composition of the week
Arne van Mourik (2025-15)
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Analyses
Below are the game analyses published in the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 season. A total of about 10 analyses will be published each season, which means that a new game analysis will appear every 4-6 weeks.
Season 2024/2025
Friends of Damkunst
For 50 euros a year you become a "Friend of Damkunst" and you are the first to hear that a new analysis is ready.
Who is behind Damkunst?
Ben Provoost, born in 1985, is the initiator of Damkunst. He comes from a draughts family, learned the game from his (grand)father and uncle. At Damclub Aagtekerke, the club where he is still a member, he further developed himself in a strong draughts player.
Provoost, who had a KNDB rating of 1437 and an FMJD rating of 2301 on January 1, 2025, participated in the Dutch Championship eight times. In 2016, he became vice champion of the Netherlands, marking his best result ever. It also earned him the title of National Grandmaster (GMN). In the national club competition, Provoost competes for Damlust Gouda.
In daily life, Provoost is a journalist. The combination of his passion for draughts and his desire to publish led to the creation of Damkunst. Want to ask or share something related to Damkunst? Then e-mail [email protected].
Ronald Schalley
Since November 2024, Ronald Schalley (1968) has been a member of the editorial team at Damkunst. He grew up in Belgium, learned draughts from his father, and developed into a strong player at the Draughts Club Eksel.
Schalley has been Belgian Champion eight times and has won several national titles in Rapid and Blitz. He participated in the 2000 World Championship and various European Championships, including the memorable 1999 European Championship, where players like Ton Sijbrands, Anatoli Gantwarg, and winner Harm Wiersma competed. He is a National Grandmaster of Belgium and has met all the norms for the title of International Master. On April 1, 2025, he had a KNDB rating of 1305 and an FMJD rating of 2221.
He currently plays for CEMA De Vaste Zet Geleen and coaches his wife, Ewa Schalley-Minkina, and his daughter, Aurelia, both of whom are also active at the club.
After 38 years as a logistics specialist in the military, he retired on January 1, 2025. He is the vice president of the KBDB and the tournament director of the LDB. As a columnist, he wrote for Het Belang van Limburg, KNACK, and Hoofdlijn. His passion for draughts and writing led him to Damkunst.
Contact: [email protected]
Toby Hage
Toby Hage (1975) began his draughts career at the age of 11 in primary school in Tholen and continued at the local draughts club, De Eendracht. In 1989, he became the Dutch Champion in the cadet category, ahead of players like the future star Kees Thijssen.
In 2006, Hage reached the final of the Dutch National Championship, which earned him the title of National Master (MN).
Hage is the owner of To Be On The Web and handles the technical aspects for Damkunst. For this platform, he combines his professional expertise with his skills as a draughts player. When Ben Provoost approached him to help develop Damkunst, he was immediately enthusiastic.
Today, Hage plays for Damlust Gouda. In the past, he was also active as a trainer and coach.