♟️ About Schachreisen

Schachreisen is a specialist chess travel, tournament, and training organization based in Hünstetten, Hesse, Germany. GM Jörg Hickl developed the concept in 1998, initially in cooperation with a German bridge-travel provider, and has operated Schachreisen independently since 2001. Unlike a conventional chess club, the organization combines serious tournament chess and professional coaching with organized holidays in destinations across Europe and further abroad.

Schachreisen has organized more than 120 chess trips and tournaments for over 3,000 participants. Its programs typically combine a FIDE- and/or DWZ-rated classical tournament with lectures, game analysis, training sessions, evening chess activities, and leisure time. Destinations have included the Canary Islands, Italy, Germany, Vietnam, Thailand, Bali, Singapore, Georgia, Jordan, and international cruise routes. The organization primarily serves adult club players, although individual events can accommodate a wider range of playing strengths.

GM Jörg Hickl remains the Founder, Tournament Organizer, Lead Coach, and principal contact. During 2026, Schachreisen organized seminar tournaments in Weimar, Lanzarote, Merano, and Oberaula. The next major project is the 11th Chess Tournament at Sea, a Panama Canal chess cruise from Los Angeles to New York from October 13–November 1, 2026. A further tournament and seminar trip to Aqaba, Jordan, from November 20–29, 2026 is also part of the current program, while several destinations for 2027 are already confirmed.

📜 Development of Schachreisen

The concept behind Schachreisen began in 1998, when Jörg Hickl combined organized holidays with a dedicated chess program in cooperation with the Wiesbadener Bridgeschule. From 2001, Hickl continued the project independently and gradually expanded the range of destinations and tournament formats.

The model differs from a conventional chess festival because participants normally book a complete chess holiday. The tournament forms the competitive core, while professional instruction and group activities continue around the playing schedule.

Over the years, the program has expanded from European hotel-based seminars to long-distance destinations and chess cruises. Previous trips have included Bali, Thailand, Singapore, the Caribbean, the Canary Islands, and transatlantic routes. Consequently, Schachreisen has developed a distinctive niche combining chess competition, coaching, and international travel.

🏆 Tournaments, Seminars and Training

Most Schachreisen seminar tournaments feature seven rounds of classical chess and are submitted for FIDE Elo and/or German DWZ rating, depending on the individual event.

A defining feature is the training program surrounding the tournament. After the games, participants can analyze important positions and complete games with titled instructors. In addition, programs frequently include lectures, thematic training, game-of-the-day sessions, practical exercises, rapid or blitz chess, and informal evening activities.

The instructor team varies according to the destination. Alongside GM Jörg Hickl, recent programs have featured IM Dr. Erik Zude and GM Michael Prusikin. The wider Schachreisen coaching network also includes experienced titled players such as WFM Dijana Dengler and WFM Franziska Beltz.

Schachreisen additionally provides individual chess training, lectures, simultaneous exhibitions, and chess publications. Therefore, its activity extends beyond the organized travel program itself.

🌍 2026–2027 International Chess Travel

The 2026 program began with the first Weimar seminar tournament in January, followed by the 12th Lanzarote Seminar Tournament in March and the 5th Merano Gourmet and Wellness Chess Trip in May.

From August 15–23, 2026, Schachreisen organized its 21st seminar tournament in Oberaula, Hesse. The nine-day program at Parkhotel Zum Stern combined a seven-round Elo/DWZ tournament with instruction from GM Jörg Hickl, GM Michael Prusikin, and IM Erik Zude.

The next major event is the Panama Canal Chess Cruise from October 13–November 1, 2026 aboard Norwegian Bliss. Players will travel from Los Angeles to New York while competing in a seven-round FIDE- and DWZ-rated tournament. Additional analysis sessions and rapid or blitz activities are incorporated into the onboard chess program.

Schachreisen then plans a Jordan chess trip from November 20–29, 2026 at the Kempinski Hotel Aqaba on the Red Sea. The published program combines another seven-round Elo/DWZ tournament with coaching by GM Jörg Hickl and IM Erik Zude.

The 2027 calendar already includes Vietnam, Lanzarote, Tbilisi, Merano, Weimar, and another long-distance chess cruise, continuing the organization’s combination of international travel and tournament chess.

👤 GM Jörg Hickl

Jörg Hickl is a German Grandmaster, chess trainer, author, publisher, and tournament organizer. He earned the Grandmaster title in 1988 and won the German Individual Chess Championship in 1998.

His competitive experience and long coaching career shape the Schachreisen concept. Hickl personally accompanies many of the trips, conducts lectures and game analysis, and works with the other titled coaches who join individual programs.

He also handles the organizational side of Schachreisen, including participant communication and booking information. As a result, he remains the most appropriate direct contact for tournament participation, chess seminars, cruises, and other Schachreisen programs.