Michael Negele on the road again: Wismar, Brunswick and Wijk aan Zee

Hans-Jürgen Fresen, Michael Negele, and Jurgen Stigter at the return of a Lasker manuscript from 1913
Hans-Jürgen Fresen, Michael Negele, and Jurgen Stigter at the return of a Lasker manuscript from 1913

by Michael Negele

Dear members and friends of the CH&LS,

It was on July 5, 2019, that I was able to publish my last post on our website. It was about the 76th auction at Klittich-Pfankuch in Brusnwick.

76th Auction at Klittich-Pfankuch auction house on 22nd June 2019

After almost six years of "hibernation," I was able to attend the 89th auction on November 21/22, 2025. It made me happy to meet many friends from the "good old days" and to feel so welcome.

Before that, I had surprised Siegfried Schönle on November 11, 2025, in Wismar, where I was able to attend his wonderful lecture. I was pleased to purchase his book on Schach im DP-Lager Landsberg und im Ghetto Terezín / Theresienstadt [Chess in the DP Camp Landsberg and in the Terezín/Theresienstadt Ghetto].

Einladung des Archivvereins Hansestadt Wismar

  • Michael Negele with Siegfried's book
    Michael Negele with Siegfried's book
  • Siegfried Schönle giving his lecture in Wismar
    Siegfried Schönle giving his lecture in Wismar

From January 19th to 25th, 2026, I was finally back in Wijk aan Zee for the Tata Steel tournament, played in the four-week competition, and met many of my Dutch friends. I reported on the tournament (and my relative lack of success at chess) on the website of my Lübeck chess club: Wijk aan Zee 2026, zumeist stahlblau

Here are a few pictures from my meetings with the indomitable Bob van de Velde, my friend and loyal companion on three trips to the USA, and tireless Lasker scholar, as well as with my longtime friend Bert Corneth, a founding member of the Amsterdam group.

I also met Joop Jansen, with whom I've been in contact since the end of 1998, and Rob Spaans, our former frontman at NiC. Harry Schaack (KARL) and Diana and Bernd Schneider were also there, and we had a great time at "Be My Guest."

  • Harry Schaack, Michael Negele, Diana and Bernd Schneider
    Harry Schaack, Michael Negele, Diana and Bernd Schneider
  • Bob van de Velde in the tournament hall
    Bob van de Velde in the tournament hall
  • Bob van de Velde at home in Amsterdam with the Chapais tome
    Bob van de Velde at home in Amsterdam with the Chapais tome
  • Michael Negele, Bert Corneth and Rob Spaans at "De Zon"
    Michael Negele, Bert Corneth and Rob Spaans at "De Zon"
  • Bert Corneth, Michael Negele and Joop Jansen at "Be My Guest"
    Bert Corneth, Michael Negele and Joop Jansen at "Be My Guest"

There were also plenty of chess books available for purchase, including those by Erika Sviva (De Beste Zet) and Merijn van Delft (in the NiC shop, right next door).

  • Michael Negele and Erika Svivia
    Michael Negele and Erika Svivia
  • Merijn van Delft and Bert Corneth
    Merijn van Delft and Bert Corneth

It was my 15th visit to the "Wimbledon of Chess" and a deep dive into the past, but also a pleasant glimpse into future meetings with you, dear CH&LS members.

Michael Negele

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