♟️ About the Organizer

SG Turm Raesfeld/Erle is an established chess club serving the communities of Raesfeld and Erle in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The organization was founded in 1978 and celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2018.

The club welcomes junior players, adults, beginners, and experienced tournament competitors. Its activities include regular club meetings, training, casual games, internal competitions, and participation in regional chess leagues.

Martin Bergemann serves as the club’s chairman. He also supports tournament organization, team administration, junior activities, and communication with participants.

The club is affiliated with the Münsterland Chess Association and competes within the organized chess structure of North Rhine-Westphalia. Its teams participate at different regional levels, giving members suitable opportunities for competitive play.

Regular club activities take place at Villa Becker in Raesfeld. The venue provides space for training, league matches, club tournaments, and meetings within the local chess community.

🏆 Tournaments and Competitive Chess

The club’s principal public event is the annual Internationales Schnellschachturnier “Wappen von Raesfeld.” The tournament has developed into an established rapid competition and has attracted grandmasters, international masters, strong club players, juniors, and visitors from neighboring countries.

The winners list dates back to 1997 and includes several titled players. Previous champions include GMs Daniel Fridman, Felix Levin, Aleksa Striković, Alexandre Dgebuadze, Oleg Korneev, and other experienced international competitors.

The 27th International Wappen von Raesfeld takes place on September 5, 2026. The tournament consists of seven Swiss-system rounds with 25 minutes per player. It offers general prizes, several rating-category awards, and separate prizes for junior participants.

SG Turm Raesfeld/Erle also organizes accessible competitions for recreational and developing players. These activities have included hobby tournaments and local rapid events designed for participants who may have limited experience in formal chess competition.

Team chess remains another important part of the club’s program. Adult and junior teams compete across regional leagues, cup competitions, and team championships. In 2026, the club also participated in the North Rhine-Westphalia Blitz Team Championship.

🌱 Junior and Community Chess

Youth development has played an important role in the club’s history. SG Turm Raesfeld/Erle has entered teams in several junior age categories and has achieved strong results at Münsterland and North Rhine-Westphalia level.

The club has previously qualified junior teams for German national competitions. Its U20 team also competed in the German Youth Bundesliga West, while younger teams reached regional and state championship finals.

Cooperation with local schools helps introduce children to chess at an early age. The club has supported school chess activities with instructors, equipment, and tournament organization. Young players can then progress from introductory sessions into club training and team competitions.

Holiday tournaments and beginner-friendly events provide additional opportunities for children and families. These activities combine competitive play with a welcoming environment and help make chess accessible within the wider Raesfeld community.

Through regular training, junior development, team competition, and its international rapid tournament, SG Turm Raesfeld/Erle continues to support active chess in western Münsterland.

Club and Playing Venue: Villa Becker, Weseler Straße 32, 46348 Raesfeld, Germany

Contact Person: Martin Bergemann – Chairman and Tournament Organizer

Email: bergemann.erle@posteo.de

Phone: +49 151 74284523

Website: https://www.turm-raesfeld.de/