Hans Ree is a Dutch chess grandmaster, author, and international arbiter. Born on September 15, 1944 in Amsterdam, Ree is well-known for his chess-playing prowess, initially representing the Netherlands in the World U26 Team Championships, before later competing in multiple Chess Olympiads from the 1960s through to the 1990s. Ree won several prestigious tournaments, including Amsterdam multiple times and Hastings in 1980/1981.
He won the Dutch Chess Championship four times between 1967 and 1982. Ree was also a strong contender for the World Chess Championship, reaching the final stages of interzonal championships multiple times. In 1980, he was awarded the title of Grandmaster by FIDE.
Aside from his playing career, Ree is also widely respected for his contributions as a chess journalist and author. He has written multiple books on chess, and worked as an editor for the New in Chess magazine for several years. He has been a chess columnist for NRC Handelsblad, a Dutch national daily newspaper, since 1988.
Ree is also a well-regarded commentator, often providing insights for international chess broadcasts. He is particularly known for his witty, often philosophical, observations about the game. His chess writing often incorporates elements of travel literature and cultural commentary.
Despite being less active as a competitive player since the late 1990s, Ree continues to be a significant figure in the global chess community.