The German Chess Championship has been played since 1861, and determines the national champion. Prior to 1880, three different federations organized chess activities in Germany: the Westdeutscher Schachbund (WDSB), the Norddeutscher Schachbund (NDSB) and the Mitteldeutscher Schachbund (MDSB). Each one organized its own championship. In 1880, the nationwide Deutscher Schachbund was founded, so afterwards only one German championship was played.
Starting from 1933, the Nazi Party took control of all social activities and until 1943 all chess championships were organized by the Großdeutscher Schachbund. After the end of World War II, separate championships were played in the occupied zones. Afterwards, from 1950 to 1989, two national championships were held in the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic. After the reunification of Germany in 1989, a single tournament has been played.
Championships, 1861–1932
German Congresses, 1879–1932
Siegbert TarraschCarl SchlechterEfim Bogoljubow
German Championships, 1933–1949
West and East Germany championships
German championships since 1991
Thomas LutherArtur Yusupov
Women
Congress of the German Chess Federation, 1927
Championships of the Greater German Chess Federation, 1939–1943
All-German championships, 1947–1953
Championships of West Germany, 1953–1989
Open German Women's Championships since 1971
International Open German Women's Championships since 1977
Championships of the Soviet occupation zone, 1948–1949
Championships of the GDR, 1950–1990
German championships since 1991
The German Women's Championship is held every odd-numbered year as a 9-round Swiss tournament (DFEM). In even-numbered years an international open tournament is held (IODFEM).[1]
Elisabeth Pähtz
References
^"DFEM - Deutscher Schachbund". www.schachbund.de. Retrieved 2016-04-09.
^Hund, Gerhard. "Deutsche Schachmeisterschaften der Frauen". TeleSchach (in German). Retrieved 22 March 2016.
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