♟️ About ASKÖ Finkenstein

ASKÖ Finkenstein – Sektion Schach is a chess club based in Stobitzen, within the municipality of Finkenstein am Faaker See, Carinthia, Austria. The club belongs to the regional ASKÖ Kärnten sports network and participates in competitions organized through the Kärntner Schachverband. Its activities combine competitive team chess, individual tournament participation, junior development, and the organization of one of Carinthia’s longest-running international chess events.

ASKÖ Finkenstein competes in the Kärntner Liga, the highest team competition within the Carinthian chess federation, while club players also appear in lower regional divisions and cup events. The club has fielded experienced Austrian and international players alongside developing local competitors. Junior participation is increasingly visible as well, with young Finkenstein players entering regional youth events and gaining their first experience in the club’s international Open.

Josef Gallob is the current Chairman (Obmann) of ASKÖ Finkenstein and remains the principal official contact for the club. Marko Gallob plays a central operational role as Tournament Director of the annual Faaker See Open. In 2026, ASKÖ Finkenstein again competed in the Kärntner Liga and organized the 42nd Faaker See Open from August 8–15, attracting 108 players from five federations. Four Finkenstein players finished in the top third of the final standings, with Petar Djuric placing fifth overall.

♜ Team Chess

ASKÖ Finkenstein has an established presence in Carinthian team competition. Its first team competes in the Kärntner Liga, where it faces the strongest clubs from across the federal state. The club’s recent competitive history includes a major success in 2023, when ASKÖ Finkenstein became Carinthian Team Champion. The championship squad included players such as Blaž Bratović, Peter Krupenko, IM Vojko Mencinger, Martin Kahlig, Marcel Liotta, Markus Gärtner, Marko Gallob, and Anže Žnidarić.

During the 2025–2026 season, ASKÖ Finkenstein again competed in the Kärntner Liga. Its registered players included IM Vojko Mencinger, Peter Krupenko, Josef Gallob, Marko Gallob, Boris Gallob, Marcel Liotta, Paul Ortner, and several other club members. The club also entered players in the Unterliga and Kärntner Schachcup, giving members opportunities at different competitive levels.

🎓 Youth and Developing Players

ASKÖ Finkenstein continues to integrate younger players into its competitive activities. Club juniors appear in regional youth tournaments as well as adult competitions. During the 2025 season, players such as Luca Linder, Maxima Moritz, and Zoe Pinter represented ASKÖ Finkenstein in junior competition. The club has also used the Faaker See Open as an opportunity for young members to gain experience in a full classical international tournament.

At the 2026 Open, Finkenstein again had a substantial home contingent. This combination of regional youth events, team chess, and a major home tournament creates a useful progression route for developing players.

🌟 Faaker See Open

The Faaker See Open is the club’s flagship tournament and its most internationally visible project. The competition is held at the Kulturhaus Latschach, close to the Faaker See, and has become a traditional fixture of the Carinthian summer chess calendar. The 42nd Faaker See Open took place from August 8–15, 2026. ASKÖ Finkenstein organized the event, with Marko Gallob as Tournament Director and IA Franz Krassnitzer as Chief Arbiter.

A total of 108 players from five federations competed over nine Swiss-system rounds. The time control was 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the remainder, with a 30-second increment from move one. Results counted for both FIDE and Austrian national ratings. FM Dr. Franz Riemelmoser won the tournament convincingly with 8/9. ASKÖ Finkenstein also recorded a strong home performance: Petar Djuric finished fifth, while four club players ended the tournament within the top third of the standings.

The event included overall prizes as well as separate awards for rating groups, women, juniors, and senior players. Moreover, the municipality of Finkenstein continues to support the tournament by providing the Kulturhaus Latschach as its playing venue.

🏛️ Club and Local Chess

ASKÖ Finkenstein is closely connected with the sporting life of the Finkenstein am Faaker See municipality. The municipality officially lists the chess section among its local sports associations and identifies Josef Gallob as its chairman. The club’s tournament activity also brings players from Austria and neighboring countries to the Faaker See region. Recent editions have regularly attracted more than 100 competitors, linking local club chess with an established international event.

This combination of Kärntner Liga competition, junior participation, local community involvement, and the Faaker See Open gives ASKÖ Finkenstein a distinctive position within Carinthian chess.