In an exciting twist during this Bundesliga season, the ChessBase reported on March 23, 2025, that the ongoing 11th and 12th rounds of the Schachbundesliga are showcasing high stakes just weeks before the grand finale in Deggendorf alongside the Frauenbundesliga. Teams like Mülheim, Bad Mergentheim, and Hamburg are jockeying for position as they fight to avoid relegation.
Matches on March 22 started at 14:00, and Sunday’s games began at 10:00, igniting enthusiasm among chess lovers. In these rounds, notable matches highlighted the fierce competition, such as SV Mülheim Nord suffering a defeat to SC Viernheim, finishing with a staggering score of 1.5 to 6.5 and SK Kirchweyhe losing against SC Heimbach-Weis-Neuwied with a score of 2.5 to 5.5.
The weekend also marked the release of Power Fritz 18, a new chess program that has quickly captivated players since its debut. Available for €99.90, this program boasts exceptional features, including player style analysis and access to a vast database of 6 billion games from LiChess and chess.com, all integrated for player preparation and tactical analysis.
On a related note, the chess community is abuzz with speculation about Magnus Carlsen’s participation in the remaining rounds. Will he, or won’t he show up? The Hamburg MoPo seems to hint that there's uncertainty about his presence, as various teams are unable to field their top players due to their commitments in the European Championships happening in Eforie Nord, Romania.
Saturday was a mixed bag for several teams. In another chaotic matchup, SF Bad Mergentheim faced off against SG Solingen with a close score of 3 to 5. Additionally, USV TU Dresden took a severe loss against Düsseldorfer SK with a final score of 1 to 7. And as the sun rose on Sunday, many matches remained pivotal to the relegation outlook.
In the Bundesliga, every point counts. The fixtures for Sunday included SC Viernheim going up against SK Kirchweyhe and SC Heimbach-Weis-Neuwied facing SV Mülheim Nord. Meanwhile, SF Bad Mergentheim tackled Düsseldorfer SK on Saturday, while the matches for Sunday included SG Solingen vs. USV TU Dresden and Düsseldorfer SK against SF Bad Mergentheim.
With the season nearing a close, teams like SV Deggendorf are in the spotlight, currently set to host the final showdowns of the season in late April. Their performances against Hamburger SK and others will be critical in determining league integrity.
As this weekend unfolded, another story emerged from the grassroots level, where FC St. Pauli's chess team made headlines on March 24, proclaiming a significant step toward avoiding relegation. Despite a rough defeat on Saturday against the dominant OSG Baden-Baden, a comeback victory on Sunday against Schachfreunde Deizisau brought the team closer to safety.
David Howell, filling in for the absent Carlsen at board one, faced a tough opponent in Vincent Keymer during the match against OSG Baden-Baden and fell after more than three hours of intense play. Other players, including Bartosz Socko and Igor Janik, faced similar fates. Ultimately, the showdown wrapped up with a disappointing score of 1.5 to 6.5.
However, undeterred by Saturday’s struggles, the team rallied against their rivals from Deizisau. The contest remained neck-and-neck until the latter stages, with Socko pulling a victory against Jules Moussard, and Howell claiming a crucial win over Gata Kamsky. In the end, FC St. Pauli emerged victorious against Schachfreunde Deizisau with a score of 4.5 to 3.5.
Looking ahead, FC St. Pauli has their sights set on the final matches at the end of April, where they hope to mathematically secure their position in the league against Werder Bremen, Bayern München, and SV Deggendorf. The atmosphere at Millerntor over the weekend was electric, with approximately 400 fans in attendance, captivating them with tactical displays and nail-biting finishes.
Viewers could appreciate the chess spectacle thanks to expert commentary that accompanied the gameplay. Games were presented with a 15-minute delay to eliminate any chance of manipulation, as enthusiasts engaged in on-site play with resources available for those wanting to learn more.
The excitement builds as fans now count down to Deggendorf, where the championship title will be decided, alongside those fighting to remain in the Bundesliga. With fierce competition on the board and star players vying for glory, the chess community remains electrified by the events to come.
The concluding remarks from this weekend reveal a shifting dynamic. Düsseldorf leads the standings with a three-point advantage over Viernheim and four over Baden-Baden. Solingen’s crucial win secured their safety as well, demonstrating that in chess, like many sports, anything can happen right up until the last move.
As the dust settles from this weekend's action, it’s clear that the Schachbundesliga remains a formidable challenge, showcasing talent and grit as teams battle for survival and supremacy in the beautiful game of chess.
