Meeting in Brunswick and trip to Ströbeck, the Chess Village - Photo report

Meeting in Brunswick and Trip to Ströbeck, the Chess Village (June 23-24, 2006)

The 48th auction of the auction company Klittich-Pfankuch again tempted quite a lot of chess friends to come to Brunswick, particularly as on the day before the chess auction an additional chess cultural gem had been offered including a trip to the chess village of Ströbeck and the visit of the new chess museum there.

After all 19 KWA members (that is more than in La Tour-de-Peilz) and ten further guests joined in the tour of Ströbeck. In the evening and next morning respectively we could welcome Tamás Erdélyi and Detlef Krämer (and his wife) as well as Rudolf Glenk (and his wife).
From Germany came:
Ralf Binnewirtz, Bernd Ellinghoven, Norbert Fieberg, Hans-Jürgen Fresen, Susanne van Kempen (and her husband), Godehard Murkisch, Michael Negele, Wolfgang Pähtz, Bernd Schippan, Bernd Schneider, Frank Schubert;
- from Belgium:
Guy van Habberney, Henri Serruys, Ward Stoffelen;
- from the Netherlands:
Bert Corneth, Jurgen Stigter;
- from Denmark:
Claes Løfgren, Knud Lysdal, Per Skjoldager.

Additional guests (in so far as known by name):
Carsten Ehlers, Matthias Limberg, Egbert Meissenburg, Daniel de Mol (and his wife), Gerd Niebuhr, ...

Group photo in front of the chess tower
Group photo in front of the chess tower
From May 1991 to December 2005 the Ströbeck chess museum was housed in the half-timbered cottage next to the chess tower.
From May 1991 to December 2005 the Ströbeck chess museum was housed in the half-timbered cottage next to the chess tower.
The entrance to the former chess museum – now the club house of the Ströbeck chess club – with chess ornaments worth seeing.
The entrance to the former chess museum – now the club house of the Ströbeck chess club – with chess ornaments worth seeing.
The neat old town hall is housing the new chess museum (since January 2006).
The neat old town hall is housing the new chess museum (since January 2006).
The "Platz am Schachspiel" [Chess Square] (flanked by the old town hall on one side and by the restaurant "Gasthof zum Schachspiel" on the other side).
The "Platz am Schachspiel" [Chess Square] (flanked by the old town hall on one side and by the restaurant "Gasthof zum Schachspiel" on the other side).

Our chess friends lined the h-file!

Wolfgang Pähtz on c4, Carsten Ehlers on b5 and Jurgen Stigter on a7 – the restaurant "Gasthaus zum Schachspiel" providing the backdrop.
Wolfgang Pähtz on c4, Carsten Ehlers on b5 and Jurgen Stigter on a7 – the restaurant "Gasthaus zum Schachspiel" providing the backdrop.
The picturesque nameplate above the entrance.
The picturesque nameplate above the entrance.
The short way up to the chess museum.
The short way up to the chess museum.

Mrs Timmermann, our guide on the journey here and back, supplied us with numerous details about Brunswick, Ströbeck and the Harz mountains; on the right study expert Ward Stoffelen.
Mrs Timmermann, our guide on the journey here and back, supplied us with numerous details about Brunswick, Ströbeck and the Harz mountains; on the right study expert Ward Stoffelen.
Eye-catcher in the entrance hall of the museum.
Eye-catcher in the entrance hall of the museum.
Mrs Angela Matthies, the museum director, starts the guided tour. The audience (from left): Guy van Habberney, Bernd Schneider, Gerd Niebuhr and Ward Stoffelen.
Mrs Angela Matthies, the museum director, starts the guided tour. The audience (from left): Guy van Habberney, Bernd Schneider, Gerd Niebuhr and Ward Stoffelen.
Jurgen Stigter and Hans-Jürgen Fresen in front of an old weather vane (1877). On the left in the background historical costumes which were used in performances of living chess.
Jurgen Stigter and Hans-Jürgen Fresen in front of an old weather vane (1877). On the left in the background historical costumes which were used in performances of living chess.
Attentive audience: N.N., Carsten Ehlers ("Schwalbe" treasurer from Brunswick) and Michael Negele.
Attentive audience: N.N., Carsten Ehlers ("Schwalbe" treasurer from Brunswick) and Michael Negele.
The famous chess board, given in 1651 as a present to the "small town of Ströpke" by the Great Elector Friedrich Wilhelm of Brandenburg. Unfortunately the accompanying set of silver chessmen has been lost for a long time.
The famous chess board, given in 1651 as a present to the "small town of Ströpke" by the Great Elector Friedrich Wilhelm of Brandenburg. Unfortunately the accompanying set of silver chessmen has been lost for a long time.

There is a courier chess board on the back with 96 squares (see below).

Bernd Schneider and the courier chess.
Bernd Schneider and the courier chess.
"Bilder-Rundschau zum Magdeburger General-Anzeiger" – an illustrated broadsheet.
"Bilder-Rundschau zum Magdeburger General-Anzeiger" – an illustrated broadsheet.
This year the chess village of Ströbeck was appointed the cultural village of Europe, a welcome opportunity to work out the musical "Ströpker Zeitsprünge" ["Ströpke leaps in time"] – the illustration opposite shows the "book on the play"
This year the chess village of Ströbeck was appointed the cultural village of Europe, a welcome opportunity to work out the musical "Ströpker Zeitsprünge" ["Ströpke leaps in time"] – the illustration opposite shows the "book on the play" (from the publish
The "Schleich" (spy, sneak, King’s jester) – besides the "Courier" and the "Man" the third extra piece in courier chess – is of symbolic nature for the Ströbeck chess museum.
The "Schleich" (spy, sneak, King’s jester) – besides the "Courier" and the "Man" the third extra piece in courier chess – is of symbolic nature for the Ströbeck chess museum.
Please click on the small picture above for the rules of the game (in German)!
Please click on the small picture above for the rules of the game (in German)!
Years ago a reproduction of the courier chess set was realized by Josef Cacek, the founder of the museum together with a group of pupils.
Years ago a reproduction of the courier chess set was realized by Josef Cacek, the founder of the museum together with a group of pupils.
The collection of chess sets is protected from unauthorized access by glass cabinets
The collection of chess sets is protected from unauthorized access by glass cabinets

– the sets produced in captivity under most difficult conditions hold a special fascination – about this a separate gallery (12 photos).

The poster "Gefangenenschach in schlechten Zeiten" [Prisoners’ chess in bad times] (in German only)
The poster "Gefangenenschach in schlechten Zeiten" [Prisoners’ chess in bad times] (in German only) - Click on the small picture to have a read of it!

Additional information on the Ströbeck chess museum from its homepage!

After the tour of the museum several participants are prepared to storm Mrs Krosch’s chess shop.
After the tour of the museum several participants are prepared to storm Mrs Krosch’s chess shop.
Only a few steps and the destination is within sight!
Only a few steps and the destination is within sight!
Mrs Krosch’s chess shop and publishing house
Mrs Krosch’s chess shop and publishing house
"Hasseröder" Pils will quench your chess thirst!
"Hasseröder" Pils will quench your chess thirst!

Additional 14 photos of the visit to Ströbeck, the chess village in our gallery!

Back in Brunswick – the imposing theatre is a helpful "signpost" to the auction house Klittich-Pfankuch.
Back in Brunswick – the imposing theatre is a helpful "signpost" to the auction house Klittich-Pfankuch.
Once again the Klittich-Pfankuch family proved a perfect host, after the tour of Ströbeck some finger food and chilled draught beer were served for refreshment.
Once again the Klittich-Pfankuch family proved a perfect host, after the tour of Ströbeck some finger food and chilled draught beer were served for refreshment.

Certainly Detlef Krämer and Ralf Binnewirtz are in a good mood (in the garden of the auction house).
Certainly Detlef Krämer and Ralf Binnewirtz are in a good mood (in the garden of the auction house).
Frau Krämer, bernd ellinghoven and Roger Klittich
Frau Krämer, bernd ellinghoven and Roger Klittich
Danish experts under a blue tent roof – Knud Lysdal and Per Skjoldager.
Danish experts under a blue tent roof – Knud Lysdal and Per Skjoldager.
Karl Klittich and Hans-Jürgen Fresen
Karl Klittich and Hans-Jürgen Fresen
A lovely summer evening – here on the Brunswick "Domplatz" [Cathedral Square].
A lovely summer evening – here on the Brunswick "Domplatz" [Cathedral Square].
Late-night dinner in the well-established Al Duomo restaurant – and seats of honour for three IMs (Tamás Erdélyi, Bernd Schneider and bernd ellinghoven, -be- is an IM for Chess Compositions!)
Late-night dinner in the well-established Al Duomo restaurant – and seats of honour for three IMs (Tamás Erdélyi, Bernd Schneider and bernd ellinghoven, -be- is an IM for Chess Compositions!)
There was plenty of reading material, (partly) written by the "chief" and distributed to Knud Lysdal, Per Skjoldager and Bert Corneth.
There was plenty of reading material, (partly) written by the "chief" and distributed to Knud Lysdal, Per Skjoldager and Bert Corneth.
I don’t say anything without my L/N! (Jurgen Stigter and Detlef Krämer)
I don’t say anything without my L/N! (Jurgen Stigter and Detlef Krämer)
Quite frivolous – at least the two gentlemen on the left ...
Quite frivolous – at least the two gentlemen on the left ...
In the auction hall, now Jurgen is at his best!
In the auction hall, now Jurgen is at his best!
Bert Corneth, Ralf Binnewirtz and Per Skjoldager in the corridor of the auction house.
Bert Corneth, Ralf Binnewirtz and Per Skjoldager in the corridor of the auction house.
After a successful chess auction some more fine goals! (Bernd Schneider and Hans-Jürgen Fresen in the nearby "Mephisto" restaurant during the transmission of the match Germany – Sweden)
After a successful chess auction some more fine goals! (Bernd Schneider and Hans-Jürgen Fresen in the nearby "Mephisto" restaurant during the transmission of the match Germany – Sweden)
Likewise spellbound by football (soccer): Matthias Limberg and Norbert Fieberg.
Likewise spellbound by football (soccer): Matthias Limberg and Norbert Fieberg.

Go back