Shortly before the start of the tournament, Schaakbulletin published the famous interview by Max Pam with Donner, in which the Netherlands’ only active grandmaster (apart from the no longer active Max Euwe) gave his views on his rivals. They were subjected to a fair share of insults.

In the Haagse Post, Ree then subtly remarked that the interview had appeared on the occasion of the fact that it had already been thirteen years since Donner had last become champion.

Donner believed that the others would play better chess if, after a defeat, one of their fingers were chopped off. Ree: “It is impossible to become genuinely angry with that fat man in the checked jacket, but of course we cannot let everything pass, and I would therefore not be surprised if Donner, should he apply to himself during this tournament the punishment he considers so suitable for us, were forced to return to Amsterdam as a mouth-and-foot chess player.”

As his prediction, Ree stated that Donner would in any case not become champion: “I am the greatest, the old man crows from his wheelchair. Anyone who has lost touch with reality to such an extent is of course not a serious candidate. That leaves Timman, Langeweg, Scholl and me. It will be close.”