Lia Schach Gherdëina – Schachclub Gröden – Associazione Dilettantistica Scacchi Gardena

♟️ About Lia Schach Gherdëina – Schachclub Gröden – Associazione Dilettantistica Scacchi Gardena

Lia Schach Gherdëina – Schachclub Gröden – Associazione Dilettantistica Scacchi Gardena is a chess club serving Val Gardena in South Tyrol, Italy. The organization reflects the valley’s multilingual Ladin, German, and Italian identity through its three official names. Its roots date to 1959, when Schachclub St. Ulrich was founded in Ortisei. After briefly competing as Schachclub Wolkenstein, the association adopted the Schachclub Gröden name in 1984. The club combines South Tyrolean team competition with internal championships, youth instruction, rapid and blitz chess, and international tournament organization. Its regular playing base is at the Kulturhaus / Casa di Cultura in Ortisei, where Friday sessions include dedicated chess activity for young players followed by an evening meeting for the wider club. Members compete throughout South Tyrol and at national and international tournaments, while the club maintains an extensive archive of team championships and individual results. Alex Piazza has served as President since 2024 and is the club’s principal public contact. The organization’s major current project is the return of the International Chess Festival “ad Gredine”, scheduled for September 11–13, 2026, in Ortisei after an eight-year break. The club is also running its 42nd Club Championship during summer and autumn 2026 and continues regular youth, team, rapid, and community chess activities.

📜 History and Competitive Tradition

Organized chess in Val Gardena predates the formal club. A local championship with 46 participants was already held in 1951. However, the first structured club organization began in 1959 at Café Demetz in Ortisei. The club entered the South Tyrolean team championship in the following decade and developed into one of the region’s most successful teams. After adopting the Gröden name, it won the B League and finished second in the A League in 1985–1986. A particularly successful period followed. Schachclub Gröden won 20 South Tyrolean A League titles, including 12 consecutive championships from 1990–1991 through 2001–2002. The club also recorded a remarkable unbeaten sequence of 72 A League matches. Its history includes participation in Italian national team competition and numerous South Tyrolean team, blitz, rapid, and individual titles. Club member Ruben Bernardi also represented the International Physically Disabled Chess Association at the Chess Olympiads in Istanbul in 2012 and Tromsø in 2014.

🎓 Youth Chess and Community Activity

Youth development has played a significant role throughout the club’s history. Gröden juniors have won multiple Italian youth championship titles and have represented the region at European and World youth events. The current program continues this tradition with Friday afternoon instruction for school-age players at the club premises in Ortisei. Tobias Klassen is responsible for the youth sector, while the club offers training for both beginners and more advanced players. The organization also takes chess into the wider Val Gardena community. In August 2026, Lia Schach Gherdëina collaborated with Biennale Gherdëina 10 on a public blitz tournament inside the former Hotel Ladinia in Ortisei. The event connected chess with a cultural installation and revived the former hotel bar as a temporary community meeting space.

🏆 International Chess Festival “ad Gredine”

The International Chess Festival “ad Gredine” is the club’s flagship tournament project. Previous editions were held in 2012, 2013, 2016, and 2018, attracting players from more than 25 countries across several continents. Past winners include GM Fernando Peralta, GM Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu, and GM Ivan Šarić. The festival also produced notable title achievements. Alexander Bertagnolli completed the performance connected with becoming South Tyrol’s first International Master at the 2013 edition, while R Praggnanandhaa achieved the result that secured his final GM norm during the 2018 tournament. The 5th International Chess Festival “ad Gredine” will take place from September 11–13, 2026, at the Kulturhaus Luis Trenker in Ortisei. The competition consists of three FIDE-rated classical sections and five rounds at 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move. The tournament has a maximum capacity of 170 players and a confirmed €2,500 prize fund. The event is organized in cooperation with A.S.D. J. Richter/LASK Bolzano, while entry fees are processed through Associazione Scacchi Gardena and Alex Piazza serves as the principal local organizer and contact.

🏛️ Organization and Leadership

Alex Piazza has served as President since 2024, succeeding longtime President Ruben Bernardi. Manuel Perathoner is Vice President, Johann Grossrubatscher serves as Treasurer, and Rainer Demetz and Manuel Perathoner handle secretarial and media responsibilities. The club’s committee also includes Tobias Klassen for youth chess, Christian Grossi, Kimo Prinoth, and archivist Ruben Bernardi. This structure supports a broad program that connects a small Alpine chess community with South Tyrolean league competition, junior development, cultural activities, and international tournament chess.