IM Herman Claudius van Riemsdijk

Born in 1948 in The Netherlands and moved with parents to Brazil at the age of 9. IM since 1978, IA since 1981 and Fide Trainer in 2018. The most important publication was the book Peões Mágicos (Portuguese in 2008, before published in English as The Final Countdown in 1997 and in Dutch as Veldjes Tellen in 1994) about the Key-Squares theory in Pawn Endings. I had a chess column for over 31 years in the important Brazilian newspaper 'O Estado de S. Paulo', between 1970 end 2001

Panamerican champion in 1977; Brazilian champion 1970, 1973 and 1988 and is the record holder of Brazilian Finals, with 30 participations. Seven times São Paulo State champion. Represented Brazil in 12 Olympiads (between 1972 and 1998), once as a non-playing captain, in Dubai and twice as a playing captain. In 2018, was the captain of the New Zealand women team. Since the permitted age, participated in all World Senior Championships, finishing first equal in Katerini 2014. Played 9 Zonal Tournaments (1969, 1972, 1975, 1978. 1982, 1985, 1989, 1993 and 1998), qualifying for two Interzonals

I have been coaching in Brazil since 1970 and lectured in other countries like, New Zealand, Argentina, Uruguay, United States, Guatemala, The Netherlands, Belgium, Paraguay, Spain, Portugal and in many Brazilian states. I am a regular Chess teacher and coach in Esporte Clube Pinheiros, São Paulo, Brazil, since 2004 and published a lot of course packets. Made contributions in many magazines as Chess Informant, Schaakbulletin (The Netherlands), New in Chess, New Zealand Chess (Endgame Column), Jogo Aberto (Brazil), Exclama (Brazil), Teoría al Día (Argentina), Tiempo de Ajedrez (Argentina), Ajedrez Hoy (Uruguay), RHM Survey of Current Chess Openings (USA) among others
Has coached at some stage players as Giovanni Vescovi and Gilberto Milos

Was president of the São Paulo Chess Federation for three terms and also of the oldest chess club in South America, Clube de Xadrez São Paulo, for two terms, including its Centennial Year, 2002. Was member of the Rules Commission of Fide for several years.
As an arbiter was active in the Fide World Championship in San Luis (Argentina), in 2005, Grand Slams (São Paulo/Bilbao) in 2011 and 2012, Najdorf Tournaments in Buenos Aires in many occasions, World Teams under 26 in Roque Saenz Peña (Argentina) in 1997, Central American and Caribbean Team Tournament (Guatemala 2001) and some Fide Zonals held in São Paulo.