♟️ About Schachliebe e.V.

Schachliebe e.V. is a German chess organization based in Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Rhineland-Palatinate. The association focuses primarily on promoting chess through tournaments, public events, and youth activities rather than operating a conventional league-team program. It affiliates with the Pfälzischer Schachbund within the German Chess Federation structure under club number 83217.

Schachliebe e.V. joined the Pfälzischer Schachbund after the federation approved its membership in 2024. During the admission process, the association described its principal goals as the promotion of chess and chess tournaments. Moreover, it stated that participation in regular league competition was not its main objective. Sportbund Pfalz subsequently admitted Schachliebe e.V. in January 2025.

Bernd Kühn serves as First Chairman and remains the association’s principal public contact. He has organized chess events since the 1990s and works as a DSB C-Trainer, Regional Arbiter, Vereinsmanager C, and trainer educator. In addition, Kühn develops tournaments through BerndsChessFactory, which provides the main information and registration platform for Schachliebe e.V.’s larger events.

🏆 Heidelberger Schachherbst

The Heidelberger Schachherbst is one of Schachliebe e.V.’s principal tournament series. The first edition took place in 2019, and the event subsequently developed into a large international autumn open in Heidelberg.

The tournament has attracted several hundred participants. For example, the 5th Heidelberger Schachherbst in 2023 drew 345 players. The organizer therefore expanded the playing facilities and provided additional space for analysis and tournament services.

After the sixth edition in 2024, the tournament returns in 2026. The 7. Heidelberger Schachherbst takes place from October 29 to November 1 at Bürgerhaus Heidelberg in the Emmertsgrund district. Schachliebe e.V. organizes the competition, while Bernd Kühn directs the event.

The 2026 festival accommodates up to 360 players across A and B sections. Both sections use seven classical Swiss-system rounds and receive FIDE and German national rating. Moreover, the advertised prize fund exceeds €5,500.

🌍 Tournament Organization Across Germany

Schachliebe e.V. has organized chess events beyond Heidelberg. Its tournament projects have included the Sandhäuser Schachsommer, Bautzener Türme Open, rapid and blitz competitions, and other special-format events.

The association organized the Sandhäuser Schachsommer together with local partners in Sandhausen. Meanwhile, the Bautzener Türme Open developed through cooperation with chess organizations and municipal partners in Bautzen. These events combined classical tournaments with rapid or blitz competitions and additional chess activities.

Schachliebe e.V. also works with other chess clubs when a joint structure better suits an event. For example, the association cooperated with Schachklub Frankenthal and Frankenthal city marketing on the Frankenthaler Löwe rapid tournament.

Consequently, Schachliebe e.V. operates more as a specialist tournament and chess-event organization than as a traditional local club centered on weekly league matches.

🎓 Youth Chess and Grassroots Development

Youth chess represents another important part of the association’s work. Schachliebe e.V. has hosted stages of the Jugend Grand Prix organized within the Pfalz chess community.

In October 2024, the association organized a Jugend Grand Prix event in Ludwigshafen-Maudach. The program included separate age groups from U8 through U18 as well as an ABC tournament for beginners. Moreover, players did not need club membership to participate.

The event accommodated up to 150 young players and kept the entry fee low. This structure allowed children with little tournament experience to compete alongside more experienced juniors in separate sections.

Bernd Kühn’s stated approach also emphasizes sustainable youth development and chess as a sport for a broad audience. Therefore, junior events complement the association’s larger international opens and help connect tournament organization with grassroots chess.

🤝 Public Chess Events and Partnerships

Schachliebe e.V. also develops chess activities outside conventional tournament halls. In 2024, the organization helped stage rapid and blitz chess at the TECHNOSEUM in Mannheim. The wider chess action day attracted more than 1,300 visitors.

Such projects allow the association to present chess to people who may not normally attend a federation tournament. At the same time, partnerships with museums, municipalities, chess clubs, regional federations, and commercial event specialists expand the range of venues available for chess.

The organization regularly works through BerndsChessFactory for tournament information, registration, and event communication. This cooperation gives Schachliebe e.V. a dedicated platform for managing larger competitions while the association itself remains the formal organizer.