The ''Deutscher Schachbund'' (DSB, the German Chess Federation) had been founded in Leipzig on July 18, 1877. When the next meeting took place in the ''Schützenhaus'', Leipzig on July 15, 1879, sixty-two clubs had become members of the federation. Hofrat Dr. Rudolf von Gottschall became Chairman and Hermann Zwanzig the General Secretary. When foreign players were invited to Berlin in 1881, an important and successful formula was completed. A master tournament was organised every second year, and Germans could partake in many groups and their talents qualified for master tournaments by a master title in the Hauptturnier. The Berlin 1881 chess tournament (the second

DSB Congress The ''Deutscher Schachbund'' (DSB) was founded in Leipzig on 18 July, 1877. When the next meeting took place in the Schützenhaus on 15 July 1879, sixty-two clubs had become member of the chess federation. Hofrat Rudolf von Gottschall became Chairm ...

,''2.DSB-Kongreß''), organised by Hermann Zwanzig and

Emil Schallopp Emil Schallopp (1 August 1843, Friesack, Germany – 9 April 1919, Berlin) was a German chess master and author. He became head of the shorthand department of the Reichstag. He wrote many books, including one on the Steinitz– Zukertort 188 ...

, took place in Berlin from August 29 to September 17, 1881.

Masters Tournament

The final standings and crosstable: :

Hauptturnier A

The ''Haupturnier A'' was won by

Curt von Bardeleben Curt Carl Alfred von Bardeleben (4 March 1861 – 31 January 1924) was a German chess master, journalist, and member of the German nobility. Biography Curt von Bardeleben started playing chess when he was ten years old and quickly developed into ...

, who earlier beat

Berthold Lasker Berthold Lasker (also, per birth registry Jonathan Berthold Barnett)per birth registry (Archiwum Państwowe Gorzów Wielkopolski, Sąd Obwodowy w Barlinku, Duplikaty księg metrykalnych gminy żydowskiej, signature 66/886/0/3/4, item 105 on the ...

Siegbert Tarrasch Siegbert Tarrasch (; 5 March 1862 – 17 February 1934) was a German chess player, considered to have been among the strongest players and most influential theoreticians of the late 19th and early 20th century. Life Tarrasch was born in Bresla ...

and Seger, in a preliminary group. The final results: 1. Bardeleben 2½/3 (won a preliminary group, scoring 3/3) 2. Specht 2/3 (won a prel. group, scoring 2/3) 3. Kist 1½/3 (won a prel. group, scoring 2/2) 4. Reif 0/3 (won a prel. group, scoring 2/3)

References

{{reflist Chess competitions Chess in Germany 1881 in chess 1881 in Germany 19th century in Berlin August 1881 sports events September 1881 sports events