Max Euwe Centrum
National chess museum with a chess library on Max Euweplein, dedicated to world champion Max Euwe – with free admission.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Max Euwe Centrum is the Dutch chess museum in Amsterdam. It commemorates Max Euwe (1901–1981), the only Dutch world chess champion to date, who defeated the title holder Alekhine in December 1935. Euwe taught mathematics for a long time, later became a professor of computer science in Rotterdam and Tilburg, and from 1970 headed the World Chess Federation FIDE for eight years.
After his death a foundation was established to keep alive his memory and his importance for chess and to promote the game and its history. This led to the opening of the centre in 1986. It is located on the first floor of an office complex on Max Euweplein, directly above the bronze statue of Euwe, on the way from the major museums to Leidseplein.
In the exhibition, photos, documents and mementos on 27 panels and in display cases document Euwe's life and career; there is also an overview of the history of chess from its beginnings in India and the Arab world to the present day. A special focus is on the 1972 world championship match Fischer–Spassky, in which Euwe played an important role as FIDE president. The library comprises almost 11,000 books and periodicals; only the Koninklijke Bibliotheek has more in the Netherlands. The centre also organises training sessions, lectures, film afternoons and the annual square festival on Max Euweplein.
Highlights
- Exhibition on the life and career of Max Euwe, the only Dutch world chess champion
- Photos, documents and mementos on 27 panels and in display cases
- Chess library with almost 11,000 books and periodicals
- Films about all world champions and chess art on a touchscreen
- Free admission, tours by volunteers
- Founded
- 1986
- Operated by
- Stichting Max Euwe Centrum
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Admission is free; the centre is financed by donations, patrons and sponsors.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
For children and young people there are chess drawings; volunteers show the game and help players improve, and you can also play on site.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Leidseplein
Tram 1, 2, 5, 7, 9, 12 and 19 to Leidseplein (2 and 12 from Amsterdam Centraal, 5 also from Amsterdam Zuid, 1 from Muiderpoort, 19 from Sloterdijk); GVB bus 347, 357 and 397; Noord-Zuidlijn metro (M52) to Vijzelgracht within walking distance.
By car
No on-site parking at the museum.
No car park of its own. Car parks near Leidseplein: Prins & Keizer (Prinsengracht 927), Byzantium (Tesselschadestraat 1-G), Europarking (Marnixstraat 250), Museumplein (Paulus Potterstraat 1); Oosterdokparking near Amsterdam Centraal.
Parking nearby is difficult and costs €7.50 per hour in the Centrum district or €6 in Oud-West/De Pijp. As an alternative, the centre recommends the park-and-ride sites on the edge of the city with onward travel by public transport.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
Duplicate books are permanently on sale in the library.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The centre offers tours of the museum and the library by volunteers, and for groups also as a programme with a rapid chess tournament, training, simultaneous exhibition or lecture. The texts on the panels are in Dutch and English. In the library you can consult, read and copy books; there is no lending. Playing chess on site is possible. |
