The Berlin Chess Championship is an annual chess tournament

Chess tournament

A chess tournament is a series of chess games played competitively to determine a winning individual or team. Since the first international chess tournament in London, 1851, chess tournaments have become the standard form of chess competition among serious players.Today, the most recognized chess...

 in Germany

Germany

Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...

. The first unofficial Berlin Chess Championship was held in 1853, and Jean Dufresne

Jean Dufresne

Jean Dufresne was a German chess player and chess composer. He was a student of Adolf Anderssen, and lost the "Evergreen game" to him in 1852. Dufresne was an unsuccessful novelist under the anagrammatic pseudonym E. S...

 won a match against Max Lange

Max Lange

Max Lange was a German chess player and composer.In 1858–1864, he was an editor of the Deutsche Schachzeitung . He was a founder of Westdeutscher Schachbund , and an organizer of the 9th DSB–Congress at Leipzig 1894...

.
Since 1904, official Berlin championships have taken place. The first event was won by Horatio Caro

Horatio Caro

Horatio Caro was an English chess master.Caro was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, but spent most of his chess career in Berlin, Germany. He played several matches. In 1892, he drew with Curt von Bardeleben , lost to Szymon Winawer . In 1897, he lost to Jacques Mieses . In 1903, he drew...

, followed by Ossip Bernstein

Ossip Bernstein

Ossip Samoilovich Bernstein was a Russian chess grandmaster and a financial lawyer.-Biography:...

, Rudolf Spielmann

Rudolf Spielmann

Rudolf Spielmann was an Austrian-Jewish chess player of the romantic school, and chess writer.-Career:He was a lawyer but never worked as one....

, Wilhelm Cohn

Wilhelm Cohn

Wilhelm Cohn was a German chess master.He participated in some strong tournaments. In 1897, he tied for 13-14th in Berlin . In 1898, he tied for 2nd-4th in Cologne . In 1899, he tied for 10-11th in London...

, Benjamin Blumenfeld

Benjamin Blumenfeld

Benjamin Blumenfeld was a Russian chess master.Born in Volkovysk, Belarus , then Russia. In 1905/06, he tied for second/third with Akiba Rubinstein, behind Gersz Salwe, in St. Petersburg...

, etc.

As a result of the post-war division of the city into East Berlin

East Berlin

East Berlin was the name given to the eastern part of Berlin between 1949 and 1990. It consisted of the Soviet sector of Berlin that was established in 1945. The American, British and French sectors became West Berlin, a part strongly associated with West Germany but a free city...

 and West Berlin

West Berlin

West Berlin was a political exclave that existed between 1949 and 1990. It comprised the western regions of Berlin, which were bordered by East Berlin and parts of East Germany. West Berlin consisted of the American, British, and French occupation sectors, which had been established in 1945...

, from 1953 until 1990 two separate championships were held.
Since the 1991 reunification of Germany, the Berlin championships are again held as single events.

Berlin Champions

Year	Winner
1904	Horatio Caro Horatio Caro Horatio Caro was an English chess master.Caro was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, but spent most of his chess career in Berlin, Germany. He played several matches. In 1892, he drew with Curt von Bardeleben , lost to Szymon Winawer . In 1897, he lost to Jacques Mieses . In 1903, he drew...
1905	Horatio Caro Horatio Caro Horatio Caro was an English chess master.Caro was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, but spent most of his chess career in Berlin, Germany. He played several matches. In 1892, he drew with Curt von Bardeleben , lost to Szymon Winawer . In 1897, he lost to Jacques Mieses . In 1903, he drew... , Moritz Lewitt Moritz Lewitt Moritz Lewitt was a German chess master.Born in Poznan, Greater Poland , he lived in Berlin, and was the longtime president of the oldest German Chess Club, the Berliner Schachgesellschaft von 1827. When he was reelected in 1904, the club was also the largest in Germany, with over 150 members. Dr...
1906	Erich Cohn Erich Cohn Erich Cohn was a German chess master.He won or tied for 1st in several tournaments in Berlin . In strong tournaments, he tied for 11-12th at Berlin 1903 . He took 10th at Coburg 1904 . In 1905, he took 5th in Barmen...
1908	Wilhelm Cohn Wilhelm Cohn Wilhelm Cohn was a German chess master.He participated in some strong tournaments. In 1897, he tied for 13-14th in Berlin . In 1898, he tied for 2nd-4th in Cologne . In 1899, he tied for 10-11th in London...
1909	Moritz Lewitt Moritz Lewitt Moritz Lewitt was a German chess master.Born in Poznan, Greater Poland , he lived in Berlin, and was the longtime president of the oldest German Chess Club, the Berliner Schachgesellschaft von 1827. When he was reelected in 1904, the club was also the largest in Germany, with over 150 members. Dr...
1910	Richard Teichmann Richard Teichmann Richard Teichmann was a German chess master.He was known as "Richard the Fifth" because he often finished in fifth place in tournaments. But in Karlsbad 1911, he scored a convincing win, crushing Akiba Rubinstein and Carl Schlechter with the same line of the Ruy Lopez...
1911	Carl Ahues Carl Ahues Carl Oscar Ahues was a German chess International Master.He was Berlin champion in 1910. He was German Champion in 1929 winning the 26th DSB Congress in Duisburg. In 1930, he took 6th in San Remo , tied for 4-5th in Scarborough , and tied for 3-5th in Liege...
1919	Karl Stephan
1920	Ernst Schweinburg
1921	Willi Schlage Willi Schlage Willi Schlage was a German chess master and trainer.In 1910, he won in Hamburg . He played in friendly matches: Berlin–Prague , Berlin–Holland , Germany–Netherlands , and Germany–Sweden...
1922	Kurt Richter Kurt Richter Kurt Paul Otto Joseph Richter was a German chess International Master and chess writer.- Chess achievements :...
1923	Kurt Richter Kurt Richter Kurt Paul Otto Joseph Richter was a German chess International Master and chess writer.- Chess achievements :...
1924	Carl Ahues Carl Ahues Carl Oscar Ahues was a German chess International Master.He was Berlin champion in 1910. He was German Champion in 1929 winning the 26th DSB Congress in Duisburg. In 1930, he took 6th in San Remo , tied for 4-5th in Scarborough , and tied for 3-5th in Liege... , Richard Teichmann Richard Teichmann Richard Teichmann was a German chess master.He was known as "Richard the Fifth" because he often finished in fifth place in tournaments. But in Karlsbad 1911, he scored a convincing win, crushing Akiba Rubinstein and Carl Schlechter with the same line of the Ruy Lopez...
1925	Friedrich Sämisch Friedrich Sämisch Friedrich Sämisch was a German chess grandmaster .-Main results:* 2nd at Berlin 1920...
1926	Willi Schlage Willi Schlage Willi Schlage was a German chess master and trainer.In 1910, he won in Hamburg . He played in friendly matches: Berlin–Prague , Berlin–Holland , Germany–Netherlands , and Germany–Sweden...
1927	Berthold Koch Berthold Koch Berthold Koch was a German chess master and journalist.Born in Berlin, he won four times the Berlin Championship in 1927, 1933 , 1946, and 1951...
1928	Karl Helling Karl Helling Karl Helling was a German chess master.In 1928, he shared 1st with Kurt Richter in the Berlin City Chess Championship, and won a play-off match for the title against him ....
1929	Carl Ahues Carl Ahues Carl Oscar Ahues was a German chess International Master.He was Berlin champion in 1910. He was German Champion in 1929 winning the 26th DSB Congress in Duisburg. In 1930, he took 6th in San Remo , tied for 4-5th in Scarborough , and tied for 3-5th in Liege... , Kurt Richter Kurt Richter Kurt Paul Otto Joseph Richter was a German chess International Master and chess writer.- Chess achievements :...
1930	Kurt Richter Kurt Richter Kurt Paul Otto Joseph Richter was a German chess International Master and chess writer.- Chess achievements :... , Ludwig Rellstab Ludwig Rellstab (chess player) Ludwig Rellstab was a German chess master.He was German Champion, winning at Bad Oeynhausen 1942. He took 8th in the European Championship at Munich 1942 . In 1943, he took 6th in Salzburg... , Simon Rotenstein Simon Rotenstein Simon Rotenstein was a German chess master.At the beginning of his career, he shared 2nd with Wilhelm Cohn, behind Carl Ahues, in Berlin championships in 1911, and won in Winterturnier des SK Springer the same year. He played in two friendly matches Berlin vs...
1932	Karl Helling Karl Helling Karl Helling was a German chess master.In 1928, he shared 1st with Kurt Richter in the Berlin City Chess Championship, and won a play-off match for the title against him ....
1933	Kurt Richter Kurt Richter Kurt Paul Otto Joseph Richter was a German chess International Master and chess writer.- Chess achievements :... , Berthold Koch Berthold Koch Berthold Koch was a German chess master and journalist.Born in Berlin, he won four times the Berlin Championship in 1927, 1933 , 1946, and 1951...
1934	Carl Ahues Carl Ahues Carl Oscar Ahues was a German chess International Master.He was Berlin champion in 1910. He was German Champion in 1929 winning the 26th DSB Congress in Duisburg. In 1930, he took 6th in San Remo , tied for 4-5th in Scarborough , and tied for 3-5th in Liege... , Friedrich Sämisch Friedrich Sämisch Friedrich Sämisch was a German chess grandmaster .-Main results:* 2nd at Berlin 1920...
1935	Efim Bogoljubow Efim Bogoljubow Efim Dmitriyevich Bogolyubov was a Russo-German chess grandmaster who won numerous events and played two matches with Alexander Alekhine for the world championship.-Early career:... , Kurt Richter Kurt Richter Kurt Paul Otto Joseph Richter was a German chess International Master and chess writer.- Chess achievements :...
1936	Kurt Richter Kurt Richter Kurt Paul Otto Joseph Richter was a German chess International Master and chess writer.- Chess achievements :...
1937	Ludwig Rellstab Ludwig Rellstab (chess player) Ludwig Rellstab was a German chess master.He was German Champion, winning at Bad Oeynhausen 1942. He took 8th in the European Championship at Munich 1942 . In 1943, he took 6th in Salzburg...
1938	Kurt Richter Kurt Richter Kurt Paul Otto Joseph Richter was a German chess International Master and chess writer.- Chess achievements :...
1939	Franz Mölbitz
1940	Rudolf Palme Rudolf Palme Rudolf Palme was an Austrian chess master.He took 14th at Vienna 1933 , and represented Austria in 3rd unofficial Chess Olympiad at Munich 1936 .In 1937, he came to Berlin, and lived for ten years there...
1941	Ludwig Rellstab Ludwig Rellstab (chess player) Ludwig Rellstab was a German chess master.He was German Champion, winning at Bad Oeynhausen 1942. He took 8th in the European Championship at Munich 1942 . In 1943, he took 6th in Salzburg...
1942	Josef Grammatikoff
1943	Rudolf Teschner Rudolf Teschner Rudolf Teschner was a German chess master and writer.Teschner was seven times Champion of Berlin. In 1948, he won an East-Zones Championship in Bad Doberan, and later in 1951 took the German Championship .Teschner was leading member of the German Chess Olympic team in 1952 and 1956...
1944	Rudolf Teschner Rudolf Teschner Rudolf Teschner was a German chess master and writer.Teschner was seven times Champion of Berlin. In 1948, he won an East-Zones Championship in Bad Doberan, and later in 1951 took the German Championship .Teschner was leading member of the German Chess Olympic team in 1952 and 1956...
1946	Berthold Koch Berthold Koch Berthold Koch was a German chess master and journalist.Born in Berlin, he won four times the Berlin Championship in 1927, 1933 , 1946, and 1951...
1947	Rudolf Teschner Rudolf Teschner Rudolf Teschner was a German chess master and writer.Teschner was seven times Champion of Berlin. In 1948, he won an East-Zones Championship in Bad Doberan, and later in 1951 took the German Championship .Teschner was leading member of the German Chess Olympic team in 1952 and 1956...
1948	Kurt Richter Kurt Richter Kurt Paul Otto Joseph Richter was a German chess International Master and chess writer.- Chess achievements :...
1949	Gerhard Pfeiffer Gerhard Pfeiffer Gerhard Pfeiffer was a German chess master and chess problemist.He tied for 5-7th at Bad Oeynhausen 1941 ; shared 1st with Lothar Schmid at Wiessenfels 1947 ; shared 10th at Bad Pyrmont 1949 ; took 2nd, behind Rudolf Teschner,...
1950	Rudolf Teschner Rudolf Teschner Rudolf Teschner was a German chess master and writer.Teschner was seven times Champion of Berlin. In 1948, he won an East-Zones Championship in Bad Doberan, and later in 1951 took the German Championship .Teschner was leading member of the German Chess Olympic team in 1952 and 1956...
1951	Berthold Koch Berthold Koch Berthold Koch was a German chess master and journalist.Born in Berlin, he won four times the Berlin Championship in 1927, 1933 , 1946, and 1951...
1952	Rudolf Teschner Rudolf Teschner Rudolf Teschner was a German chess master and writer.Teschner was seven times Champion of Berlin. In 1948, he won an East-Zones Championship in Bad Doberan, and later in 1951 took the German Championship .Teschner was leading member of the German Chess Olympic team in 1952 and 1956...

West Berlin and East Berlin Champions

Year	West Berlin Winner	East Berlin Winner
1953	Rudolf Teschner Rudolf Teschner Rudolf Teschner was a German chess master and writer.Teschner was seven times Champion of Berlin. In 1948, he won an East-Zones Championship in Bad Doberan, and later in 1951 took the German Championship .Teschner was leading member of the German Chess Olympic team in 1952 and 1956...
1954	Klaus Darga Klaus Darga Klaus Viktor Darga is a German Grandmaster chess player.In 1951 Darga became German Junior Champion after winning the national under-20 championship. He also proved his strength as a young chessplayer by sharing first place in the World Junior Championship of 1953, with Oscar Panno of Argentina...
1955	Klaus Uwe Müller
1956	Heinz Lehmann
1957	Rudolf Teschner Rudolf Teschner Rudolf Teschner was a German chess master and writer.Teschner was seven times Champion of Berlin. In 1948, he won an East-Zones Championship in Bad Doberan, and later in 1951 took the German Championship .Teschner was leading member of the German Chess Olympic team in 1952 and 1956...
1958	Wolfram Bialas	Werner Golz
1959	Klaus Darga Klaus Darga Klaus Viktor Darga is a German Grandmaster chess player.In 1951 Darga became German Junior Champion after winning the national under-20 championship. He also proved his strength as a young chessplayer by sharing first place in the World Junior Championship of 1953, with Oscar Panno of Argentina...
1960	Alfred Seppelt	Bodo Starck
1961	Hans-Joachim Hecht Hans-Joachim Hecht Hans-Joachim Hecht is a German chess player and twice the national champion. His first name is often abbreviated to Hajo....	Hermann Brameyer
1962	Wolfram Bialas	Klaus Tiemer
1963	Harald Lieb	Alfred Barwich
1964	Adolf Delander
1965	Hans-Joachim Hecht Hans-Joachim Hecht Hans-Joachim Hecht is a German chess player and twice the national champion. His first name is often abbreviated to Hajo....	Hermann Brameyer
1966	Adolf Delander	Lothar Kollberg
1967	Jürgen Dueball	Hermann Brameyer
1968	Harald Lieb	Franz Stahl
1969	Hans-Joachim Hecht Hans-Joachim Hecht Hans-Joachim Hecht is a German chess player and twice the national champion. His first name is often abbreviated to Hajo....	Bodo Starck
1970	Harald Lieb	Bodo Starck
1971	Werner Reichenbach	Bodo Starck
1972	Harald Lieb	Wolfgang Rohde
1973	Harald Lieb	Hans-Jürgen Meißner
1974	Werner Reichenbach	Bodo Starck
1975	Horst Bach	Friedrich Baumbach Friedrich Baumbach Dr Friedrich Baumbach is a German chess grandmaster of correspondence chess, most famous for being the eleventh ICCF World Champion in correspondence chess between 1983 and 1989...
1976	Werner Reichenbach	Lothar Kollberg
1977	Harald Lieb	Joachim Fechner
1978	Wolfgang Riedel	Wolfgang Thormann
1979	Norbert Sprotte	Lothar Kollberg
1980	Michael Bilek	Jörg Seils
1981	Harald Lieb	Wolfgang Thormann
1982	no contest	Ralf Rennoch
1983	Frank Grzesik	Bodo Starck
1984	no contest	Bodo Starck
1985	Mladen Muse	Alexander Okrajek
1986	no contest	Jörg Seils
1987	Mladen Muse	Alexander Okrajek
1988	no contest	Wolfgang Rohde
1989	Mladen Muse	Jörg Seils
1990	no contest	Matthias Schöwel

Berlin Champions

Year	Winner
1991	Jörg Seils
1993	Jörg Seils
1994	Alexander Lagunow
1995	Alexander Lagunow
1996	Alexander Lagunow
1997	Robert Rabiega
1998	Manfred Glienke
1999	Ulf von Herman
2000	Robert Rabiega
2001	Ulf von Herman
2002	Sergej Kalinitschew
2003	Jakov Meister
2004	Jakov Meister
2005	Jakov Meister
2006	Ulf von Herman
2007	Jakob Meister
2008	Ulf von Herman