Largest School Chess Tournament Worldwide Held at the Town Hall Square
The Biggest School Chess Tournament in the World Took Place yesterday
Yesterday, on the Rathausmarkt, the Greatest School Chess Tournament of the World took place with over 3,500 kids battling it out for their schools, under the motto "Right Alster bank vs Left Alster bank."
Over 1,700 chess boards have been neatly arranged on long tables before the Hamburg City Hall – and the black and white figures are ready for action. It's a beautiful summer's day out there, and the participants are basking in the sun. Concern over potential rain was short-lived as the sun shines down on them. The kids sit focused over their boards, moving their pieces across the board. The area around the tables is buzzing with excitement. The large golden trophy, called the Wanderpokal, towers on the stage.
Since 1958, the schools of Hamburg have been competing in this iconic tournament. This year, the right Alster bank is going head-to-head with the left Alster bank. Over 3,500 students are participating in teams. In the overall standing, the left Alster bank leads significantly – with 39 wins to 22 victories in the last few years. In the last two years, they have managed to defeat the other side.
"The moment after the countdown, when 3,000 kids are quiet and shaking hands, is a magical moment," says Björn Lengwenus, school principal and co-organizer of the event. Without the many dedicated volunteers, this event wouldn't be possible. Tom, one of them, is currently working as a referee and answering questions from the young players. The 23-year-old himself took part in the tournament as a student. "We certainly help out here," he says, taking a glance at an ongoing game. He has already handled around 50 games today. Who will win the trophy today? He bets on the right Alster bank.
Next Year for the Alsteruferturnier 2025 1 of 6
Schachmasters inspire the kids
Highlights of the tournament include the simultaneous players. They play around 30 games at once. Luis Engel, the 22-year-old Grandmaster, is already a star of the tournament. He poses for selfies and signs autographs. While on one table, he moves a piece, and on the other, young players are trying to defeat the German champion of 2020. "I have been here every year, even as a student," says Luis Engel between two moves.
A group of kids in green shirts with their school's name stands outside the Town Hall, chatting excitedly. How was their day so far? "On a scale of one to ten, it's definitely a ten," says a kid. The group agrees loudly. "I won both my matches, so it's been fantastic," says another.
A Clear Winner
The final match is decided. Around 12:30 PM, the Alsteruferturnier ends with a countdown. Cheers erupt as Björn Lengwenus and the other organizers announce the result: "The winner is – let's say it in three – one, two, three – the left Alster bank." In total, it stands at 966.5 to 769.5. The left Alster bank builds upon its lead and continues its win streak. As a representative, the third team from the Gymnasium Ohlstedt is chosen to accept the trophy.
In the end, only one task remains – to ensure the chess pieces are properly put away so the biggest school chess tournament in the world can take place once again in Hamburg next year.
pau/bib with dpa
Benjamin Possin
Benjamin Possin, born in 2002, loves to tell stories, which is what led him to his favorite hobby: Pen & Paper. He has collected around 300 dice now. When he's not rolling the dice, he likes discussing on the internet or digitizing old slides. His love for Wikipedia drove him to write one article already. At HAW, he studied media and communication and is currently working on a research project on data visualization. He moderated a film about youth violence on TikTok during an internship at STRG_F. Data journalism is an option for him professionally. Kürzel: bip
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Pauline Böwing
Pauline Böwing, born in 2003, can't be distracted by teleprompters, and she even went on live TV during a bomb scare at the Bayerischer Rundfunk. The Hamburg native speaks four languages and has lived in five different cities. She studied communication science and law in Munich, wrote for the "Abendzeitung," and worked for the ZDF. Her semester abroad was in Leicester. She loves sports, except for football. Despite that, she is a St. Pauli fan. Her nickname is Pauli. Kürzel: pau
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Despite the excitement surrounding the world's biggest school chess tournament, it appears that sports other than chess might also be popular among the students. On a sunny summer's day, the school's football pitch could be an ideal location for a friendly game of soccer, offering the participants a chance to unwind and engage in a different type of competition.
Alternatively, considering the success of the left Alster bank in the chess tournament, it could be intriguing to see how well they fare in another sport, possibly basketball or volleyball, given the physical demands and teamwork required. A game of sports, such as basketball, could provide a thrilling spectacle for the school community and inspire more students to get involved in diverse sports activities.
