A scarce 2005 commemorative chess medal dedicated to Anatoly Karpov, produced for the Euro Chess Tournament in Hengelo, the Netherlands, and connected with the charitable activities of Europa Kinderhulp.

The obverse features a photographic portrait of Karpov seated at the chessboard. Around the portrait appear the inscriptions “St. Europa Kinderhulp”, “Hengelo (NL) 2005” and “Euro Chess Tournament”. Above the portrait is the name “Anatoly Karpov”, and below it the medal identifies him as the “12th World Chess Champion”, with the championship periods “1975–1985” and “1993–1999”.

The medal measures approximately 38 mm in diameter and has a gold-coloured finish. The reverse depicts the historic building associated with the Royal Dutch Mint in Utrecht, together with the traditional Dutch inscription “Het geld hier uit metaal verkregen zij nooit ten vloek doch steeds ten zegen”. The piece is preserved in a clear capsule and supplied in its original black presentation case, which bears the logo of the Koninklijke Nederlandse Munt (Royal Dutch Mint).

The medal is directly associated with the Euro Chess Tournament 2005 in Hengelo. Contemporary chess reporting records that the event took place from 8 to 13 August 2005 and was organised by Stichting Caïssa together with the Royal Dutch Chess Federation (KNSB). The programme included the 32nd Open Dutch Youth Chess Championship and the Stork Young Masters tournament.

Albert Vasse was listed as tournament director for the 2005 event. Contemporary regional chess reporting also links Anatoly Karpov to fundraising for Europa Kinderhulp during the tournament, giving this medal an additional charitable and historical context.

Provenance: this example comes from material originating from the estate of Albert Vasse, former director of DGT and tournament director of the 2005 Euro Chess Tournament. Vasse was closely involved in Dutch chess organisation and in later charitable chess medal presentations as well.

The exact mintage of this Karpov medal is not known. A published collector catalogue records the medal but does not provide a production figure. It should therefore be described as a scarce event medal rather than as a specifically numbered limited edition unless further documentary evidence is found.

Anatoly Karpov is one of the most important players in chess history. He became the 12th World Chess Champion in 1975, held the classical world title until 1985, and later regained the FIDE world title in the 1990s. His long rivalry with Garry Kasparov became one of the defining chapters of modern chess.

Specifications

Historical Context

The 2005 Hengelo medal belongs to the same broader Dutch chess-event and charity milieu as the Jan Timman 2004 issue. The surviving series appears to have developed around annual Hengelo/Euro Chess Tournament activities and well-known chess personalities. Later related medals are known for Judit Polgár (2006), while specialist chess-medal literature also refers to a Hengelo Kasparov medal from 2007. This pattern strengthens the interpretation of the Karpov piece as part of a small multi-year chess medal series rather than a generic souvenir.

Provenance

From a group originating from the estate of Albert Vasse, former director of DGT and tournament director of the Euro Chess Tournament 2005 in Hengelo. The material later passed through the regional chess community to the present owner. This provenance is particularly relevant because Vasse was directly involved with the tournament named on the medal and with charitable chess initiatives of the period.

Condition

The medal remains housed in its clear protective capsule and is accompanied by the original presentation case. The case displays the Koninklijke Nederlandse Munt logo. Please refer to the photographs for the exact cosmetic condition of the medal, capsule and case.

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