 Prisoner Guncelin playing chess with farmers in Ströbeck; painting: W.Plaisant |
A medieval village in the Harz mountains of Germany teaches the royal game in its public school. The village Ströbeck and the game of chess belong together for a very long time. Back then in the 11th century a bishop from the nearby town of Halberstadt locked up a prisoner (whom he caught in an expedition) in the defence tower of Ströbeck, now called the chess tower. Farmers guarded the imprisoned sovereign and he taught them the royal game of chess. When the sovereign had been released he had a lot of influence and he thanked the farmers for the good treatment by dispensing them from high taxes and other duties. Therefore the villagers had to promise to keep playing the royal game and to give it from generation to generation. |
|||
 |
The Great Elector
When in 1651 the Great Elector Friedrich Wilhelm of Brandenburg visited Ströbeck during an inspection of his new principality he gave a present to the farmers, impoverished by the 30years war, a chess board with highly artistic inlaid work, together with chessmen of silver. The chessmen
got lost, but the beautiful chessboard has been protected well throughout the years. Today it is kept in the chess-museum in Ströbeck. |
|||
|
Several habits and usages were developed belonging to the tradition of the chess-village. Chess against people passing through and guests of the village
When foreigners came to Ströbeck they were offered a game of chess against the village mayor. That way even King Friedrich II in 1773 played chess in Ströbeck (and lost the game!) when passing through on his way from Halberstadt to Goslar.Marriage in Ströbeck
For example in 17th century in advance of a marriage the young man had to play for his bride in a chess match against the mayor. In case of loosing this match the bridegroom had to pay a fine into the village's cash-box. But this habit didn't preserve. |
||||
|
Living chess group
The in 1688 introduced game with human chess-men in beautiful costumes is still an attraction of chess- and native-festivals nowadays. Every year in spring (last weekend in May) Ströbeck has its chess festival where you can see the living chess group on the public chess square in the centre of the village. |
|||
|
Chess at school
Also the introduction of chess as a compulsory school subject in 1823 in the local public school had a good effect on keeping up tradition. Several chess competitions and tournaments for children as well as adults enrich the offer of recreational activities.Fight for chessboards and chessmen
At the end of the 6th and 7th grade at school children have a chess competition with special prices to win: the younger children fight for a set of chessmen, the older ones for the Ströbeck-typical chessboard especially made for this competition. Only the best three chess players win and are noted on a honorary plate which name the winners since 1823.The chessboards are trophies, proudly presented in the entrance of the houses. |
|||
|
Dr. E. Lasker secondary school, closed in 2004
In 2004 the secondary school in Ströbeck was closes, but Ströbeck still has the primary school to keep the tradition of chess as a school subject alive.
Come and visit us to learn more about the unique chess tradition in Ströbeck! | ||||
GERMAN