Valencia’s Historic Role in Shaping Modern Chess
Valencia, Spain, is celebrating a remarkable anniversary—550 years since it helped lay the foundation for modern chess. In 1475, three Valencian poets penned Scachs d’amor, a groundbreaking poem that introduced the now-standard queen’s movement, a dramatic departure from medieval rules that revolutionized the game.
Two decades later, another Valencian author codified these new rules in print. With the advent of the printing press, these modernized chess principles spread rapidly across Europe, transforming chess into the strategic and dynamic game we know today.
To honor this legacy, Valencia is hosting a wide-ranging cultural program that blends history, art, and competition. The city, often overlooked in the global chess narrative, is reaffirming its status as a birthplace of modern strategy and innovation in the game.
Germany’s Women’s Team Championship Embraces Community and Competition
In a celebration of chess culture that echoes Valencia’s historic milestone, Germany kicked off its annual Women’s Team Championship for regional federations (DFMM-LV) this week in Braunfels. While the event may not match the scale of grandmaster-level competitions, it offers something just as valuable: high-quality games played in a relaxed, inclusive environment.
“This isn’t quite national team level, but the matches are strong and the atmosphere is friendly,” said tournament director WFM Nadja Jussupow. “It’s chess without pressure—serious, but enjoyable.”
That spirit of care extended even beyond the chessboard. Some participants arriving at Leun/Braunfels station were bracing for a long walk to the tournament hotel—until a shuttle van organized by the Braunfels Chess Club pulled up to greet them. “We want every player to feel completely at home,” said Sebastian Swoboda, club president and head of the organizing committee. “We focus not only on creating great playing conditions, but also on making this a kind of chess vacation in the heart of Germany.”
Opening-Round Drama: Underdog Bavaria Defeats Top Seed Württemberg
The tournament began with a major upset. Despite being the top seed, Württemberg fell to eighth-seeded Bavaria with a final score of 4.5 to 3.5. The defeat was due in part to illness-related withdrawals that left Württemberg fielding only seven players instead of the full eight.
“We had several players fall ill at the last minute,” explained WGM Hanna Marie Klek, Württemberg’s board one. Klek herself drew against WFM Marharyta Khrapko, who was rated nearly 200 Elo points lower. On board three, Berrak Albayrak pulled off a surprise win against WIM Galina Timofeeva, tilting the match in Bavaria’s favor.
“It’s a tough loss,” Klek admitted, while Bavaria’s team captain and women’s chess coordinator Aylin Albayrak celebrated: “We managed to bring it home with real effort. This is a fantastic start for us.”
Clear Wins Elsewhere, But Valencia’s Legacy Looms Large
Not all matchups were tight. Second-seeded North Rhine-Westphalia cruised past Rhineland-Palatinate with a dominant 7–1 win. WGM Carmen Voicu-Jagodzinsky summed it up bluntly: “It went as expected.”
Yet whether in Braunfels or Valencia, a common theme emerges: chess continues to evolve, inspire, and bring people together—across centuries, countries, and cultures. From the poetic origins of the queen’s power move to modern-day tournaments that blend competition with community, the game’s legacy is as dynamic as ever.
