Schachreisen

♟️ About Schachreisen

Schachreisen is a specialist chess travel and tournament organizer based in Hünstetten, Germany. Grandmaster Jörg Hickl launched the project in 1998. Initially, he developed chess holidays in cooperation with a major German bridge travel provider. However, since 2001, he has managed Schachreisen independently as its sole organizer. The organization combines competitive chess, professional instruction, and leisure travel in carefully selected destinations. Over the years, it has arranged more than 120 chess trips and tournaments for over 3,000 participants. Its destinations have included Germany, the Canary Islands, Italy, Georgia, Jordan, Vietnam, Bali, Thailand, Singapore, and several international cruise routes. As a result, Schachreisen has developed a distinctive position within European chess tourism.

🏆 Chess Tournaments, Seminars and Training

Schachreisen organizes classical tournaments, seminar tournaments, rapid and blitz events, simultaneous exhibitions, lectures, and practical training sessions. Many of its main tournaments include seven rounds and qualify for German DWZ or international Elo rating. Moreover, participants can analyze their games directly after each round with an International Master or Grandmaster. The wider chess program often includes lectures, guided analysis, training exercises, a game-of-the-day presentation, and evening competitions. Programs mainly serve experienced recreational and club players, although the organizers can also accommodate participants outside the usual playing-strength range. This structure allows players to combine serious tournament competition with personal instruction in a relaxed setting.

🌍 International Chess Travel

GM Jörg Hickl leads the programs together with an experienced group of titled players and coaches. Regular instructors include IM Dr. Erik Zude, GM Michael Prusikin, WFM Dijana Dengler, and WFM Franziska Beltz. Hickl became an International Grandmaster in 1988 and won the German Individual Chess Championship in 1998. In addition, he represented Germany on almost 100 occasions and has more than 25 years of coaching experience. Current and recent Schachreisen programs include seminar tournaments in Oberaula, Lanzarote, Merano, Weimar, and Da Nang, as well as events in Jordan, Georgia, and Bahrain. The organization also offers chess cruises, including routes through the Panama Canal and across the Atlantic to South America. Furthermore, Schachreisen provides individual chess training, public lectures, simultaneous exhibitions, and chess publications for club players.