Upper Austria's chess association discovers Hamburg: ideas for inclusion!

Upper Austria's chess association discovers Hamburg: ideas for inclusion!

What an exciting week for the Upper Austrian Chess Association! From September 28th to October 1st, a delegation consisting of important board members such as Dietmar Hiermann, Günther Almer, Günther Mitterhuemer, Gerhard Riegler and Wilfried Kuran visited the Hanseatic city of Hamburg. This trip took place as part of the Erasmus+ project “Software training for children and people with disabilities”, with the aim of collecting fresh ideas for the use of chess software in training and exchanging valuable experiences. The aim was particularly to promote the integration of children and people with disabilities into the fascinating world of chess.

A highlight of the trip was the visit to the Hamburg Chess Club from 1830, the oldest still existing chess club in Germany. The delegation was led through the clubhouse and the impressive chess library by chess warden Thomas Stark. Here the participants had the opportunity to play against the club members and exchange ideas about the club's work and chess culture. Such encounters make the sport of chess come alive and enliven the community of chess lovers.

Modern approaches to chess training

The program also included two afternoons at the renowned company ChessBase, where participants immersed themselves in the world of modern chess software. The lecture by Grandmaster Elisabeth Pähtz, who gave valuable insights into her training methods, received particular attention. IM Christian Glöckler, who brought fresh perspectives, was also there. Matthias Wüllenweber, the chief developer of ChessBase, presented practical tips, while GM Dorian Rogozenco gave valuable tips on using the software in class. These training days were not only educational, but also inspiring for future work in the association.

Another highlight of the trip was the tour of the Elbphilharmonie, Hamburg's impressive landmark. With its 110 meters height and the glass wave that sits atop an old quay warehouse, the building not only offers a breathtaking view of the city, but also symbolizes the creative and dynamic development of Hamburg, especially in the newly emerging HafenCity, one of the largest inner-city urban development projects in Europe. Over 4,000 people already live here and around 15,000 jobs have been created.

Chess for everyone – inclusion in focus

The topic of inclusion in chess is playing an increasingly important role. The “Open Window” project aims to bring chess players with and without disabilities together and to create a space for shared exchange. Chess should be made more inclusive through assistance and instructions. The information portal offers a lot of information about individual rights and options for compensating for disadvantages. Initiators like Laura Schalkhäuser and Tatiana Flores, who both have severe disabilities, envision a better reality for people with disabilities in chess. Your commitment is a step in the right direction to make chess accessible to everyone. Supported by well-known organizations in the chess scene, the vision of promoting chess without barriers is becoming more and more tangible.

This initiative and the positive experiences from Hamburg clearly show that chess is more than just a game - it is a platform for encounters and integration that brings people together and is accessible to everyone. Those responsible in Upper Austria have a good hand because they bring a breath of fresh air into the chess world!

For more information about the trip and the project, please contact the websites ChessBase, Schach.at and Schachtraining.de.