♟️ About Schachverein Horn Union Ratten

Schachverein Horn Union Ratten is an established Austrian chess club based in Ratten, Styria. The club combines competitive team chess, youth development, regular local chess activity, and the organization of one of the region’s longest-running international open tournaments. Chess has deep roots in the small Styrian community of Ratten. The club’s own historical records trace organized chess activity in the village back many decades, while the present Schachverein was formally established in 1987. Since then, Horn Union Ratten has developed into an active regional club with a strong connection to both competitive chess and the local community. The organization is particularly known for the annual Internationales Raiffeisen Schach-Open Ratten. The tournament attracts club players, juniors, experienced competitors, and international visitors to eastern Styria each spring. Harald Göslbauer is a central figure in the club’s tournament organization and serves as the principal organizer of the Ratten Open.

📜 Chess Tradition in Ratten

The history of chess in Ratten extends well beyond the formal establishment of the current club. According to the club chronicle, chess was already played locally after the First World War, when workers connected with the area’s glassworks and mining industry brought additional chess activity to the community. Names of local chess players are documented from the 1930s, and another group of enthusiasts became active after the Second World War. Economic changes and the closure of local industries later reduced organized activity, but chess remained part of community life. A notable step came in 1977, when a local cup tournament was held at Café Schweighofer. The competition was played over twelve rounds and represented an important precursor to the later organized club structure. The present-day Schachverein was founded in 1987, initially with only a small group of members. Over the following decades, it expanded its competitive, junior, and tournament activities and became firmly established within Styrian chess.

🏠 Chess in the Ratten Community

Chess has an unusually visible presence in Ratten for a community of its size. The club has promoted the game not only through formal tournaments but also through schools, local establishments, training sessions, and community activities. The club reports that chess sets, pieces, and clocks have traditionally been available in local establishments, allowing residents and visitors to play throughout the village. Chess instruction has also been offered in local schools, helping introduce new generations to the game. Horn Union Ratten has organized chess courses for both juniors and adults. Over the years, experienced trainers and titled players have been involved in training activities, including International Masters. The club also holds local competitions such as its village rapid chess championship, providing another form of competition alongside league matches and the international open.

🧒 Youth Chess & Player Development

Youth development is an important part of Horn Union Ratten’s activity. The club regularly supports junior players in regional competitions and Styrian youth events. Players representing Horn Union Ratten have participated in the Steirische Jugendschacholympiade, one of the important youth chess programmes in Styria. In the 2026 edition, the club fielded several young competitors across multiple age categories. The programme gives developing players opportunities to progress from school and club chess into formal tournament competition. Training, regional events, and participation in youth championships therefore form an important part of the organization’s broader chess activity. This long-term investment in juniors complements the club’s open tournament programme, where youth players can compete alongside experienced adult players.

🏆 International Raiffeisen Chess Open Ratten

The Internationales Raiffeisen Schach-Open Ratten is the flagship event organized by Horn Union Ratten and the highlight of the club’s annual calendar. Over three decades, the Open has developed into a recognized spring tournament in Styria. It welcomes professional players, regular club competitors, ambitious juniors, and hobby players, creating a broad competitive field within a single chess festival. The modern event is divided into several rating groups. The principal A Tournament is open to players with a FIDE ID and is submitted for both FIDE and Austrian rating. Additional B and C sections allow players with lower ratings to compete within suitable rating ranges. A separate FIDE-rated blitz tournament is also held during the festival. Together, the classical sections and blitz competition create a full multi-day chess programme. The tournament is currently played at Veranstaltungshalle Ratten, part of the local Freizeitzentrum. The modern venue became home to the Open in 2023 and provides the club with a larger dedicated playing space for the growing tournament.

🌍 30th International Open — 2026

Horn Union Ratten celebrated the 30th Internationales Raiffeisen Schach-Open from May 14–17, 2026. Around 140 players from several countries took part across the A, B, and C classical tournaments and the accompanying blitz competition. The field ranged from experienced tournament competitors to promising young players. David Kramar won the A Tournament, while Julia Krassnitzer took first place in the B section. Radu-Beniamin Borz won the C Tournament, and Gregor Neff finished first in the blitz competition. The organizers highlighted the work of Harald Göslbauer, Chief Arbiter IA Franz Krassnitzer, Guenter Kaiser, and the wider volunteer team in delivering the anniversary edition. The scale of the 30th Open demonstrated how a tournament originally rooted in a small Styrian community has developed into an international event capable of attracting a substantial field from Austria and abroad.

🌟 31st International Raiffeisen Chess Open Ratten 2027

The tradition continues with the 31st International Raiffeisen Chess Open Ratten, scheduled for May 6–9, 2027. The tournament again consists of A, B, and C sections, all played over five rounds under Swiss-system rules. The A Tournament is open to players with a FIDE ID and is rated by both FIDE and the Austrian federation. The B section is intended for players rated below 2000, while the C section is for players below 1750. A FIDE-rated blitz tournament will take place on Saturday evening. The organizers also continue the event’s tradition of category prizes for juniors, women, seniors, and different rating groups. Junior players receive particular attention. Separate awards are planned for the U18 categories, while the C Tournament also includes trophies and prizes for U14, U12, U10, and U8 competitors. The tournament concludes with a prize ceremony and traditional raffle. In addition, the club bringing the largest group of players receives a special gift basket, reinforcing the social and community character of the Open.

♟️ Competitive Club Chess

Horn Union Ratten is active beyond its own international tournament. The club participates in Austrian regional team competition and maintains teams within the Styrian league structure. In the 2024/25 season, Horn Union Ratten finished first in the published table of the 2. Klasse Murtal/Mürztal, demonstrating that competitive team chess remains an important part of the organization’s programme. League competition gives club members regular opportunities to represent Ratten against teams from other Styrian chess organizations. It also provides a competitive pathway for players who develop through the club’s junior and local chess activities. Together with the International Open, youth competitions, training, and local events, league participation gives Horn Union Ratten a broad year-round chess programme rather than limiting its activity to a single annual tournament.

👥 Organization & Tournament Team

Harald Göslbauer has played a major role in Horn Union Ratten for many years. Historical club records show that he previously served as club chairman for two decades and later continued his involvement in youth training and tournament organization. Today, he remains the principal organizer of the International Raiffeisen Chess Open Ratten and the main public contact for the event. For the 2027 International Raiffeisen Chess Open, IA Franz Krassnitzer serves as Tournament Director. The organizing structure therefore combines long-standing local experience with qualified international-level tournament administration. The club’s ability to sustain an international open for more than three decades, while simultaneously supporting league teams and junior chess, reflects the strong volunteer structure behind Horn Union Ratten.