Career
He also played chess at a nearly competitive level After that he garnered attention for his humorous or even eccentric personality. His interviews on Dutch television were unusual involving a full minute where he did not talk or others where he reacted oddly on being asked how old he was.
After this he became a minor celebrity appearing in a few programs on Dutch television
He was also the subject of a 1999 documentary titled Jannes. He is believed to have held the record on simultaneous play as he played against 225 players on July 16, 1987.
Anton van Berkel has since beaten this record. In 1996 Jannes van der Wal died of leukemia.