Belgians in foreign tournaments: Lichtenberger Sommer (Berlin) August 8 – 16, 2026

Due to a combination of circumstances, I chose to play a tournament in Berlin this summer. In this tournament, I was accompanied by my daughter Evelien and my wife. They went to visit the city and go shopping. I occupied myself exclusively with chess. Fortunately, I had already visited Berlin extensively three years earlier; otherwise, the lack of being a tourist would have gnawed at me more. Berlin is more than worth a city trip where you can easily spend a week. We chose a hotel near Alexanderplatz so that I had to commute to every round by public transport or car. I didn’t mind that much because with only one game per day, I had more than enough time for this. The distance between the tournament hall and the hotel was approximately 10 kilometers.

I participated in the 22^nd edition of the tournament. Perhaps it is because several classical tournaments are organized in Berlin during the summer, but I find 220 participants rather meager for the capital of Germany. However, with a first prize of 1,000 euros, you will obviously not be able to attract big names. I was 8^th on the starting list.

I have played at many special locations, and this one can be added to that list. We played at a horse racing track, that is to say, in the hall right next to where bets are placed. Large glass sections meant that on the top boards, you had to play for hours in direct, bright sunlight. I am no hypochondriac, but I did wonder afterwards whether such a thing could be harmful to the skin. In Haarlem (Netherlands), the three-day tournament was shortened by a day due to the heat, despite the air conditioning. In Berlin, the 8^th round started promptly at 2 PM. Outside, 36 degrees was measured, and inside there was no air conditioning. Some older players loudly voiced their disapproval of this.

I also noticed at this tournament that a particularly large number of older players participated. I have also never experienced a biergarten being provided next to the playing hall before. Players happily lingered there until the late hours. At such moments, I felt it was a pity that my non-chess-playing companions were waiting for me at the hotel after each round.

Most rounds started at 5 PM, so it always gets late to eat together in the evening anyway. That is the advantage of a major city like Berlin. Eating and drinking establishments are open until very late. There is also a very wide choice in the city, and with TripAdvisor as a guide, you are fairly certain to be able to eat well somewhere.

Despite the clear emphasis on the amateur chess player, extensive use was made of all kinds of modern gadgets. All games played were available on their website every day with the help of AI. The screen with the statistics below, set up at the front of the playing hall, was also a novelty for me.

As you can see on the screen above, I was not the only Belgian. Rudi Bunkens from the Ghent chess club KGSRL also participated. That was pure coincidence, but a welcome one. Rudi was much better acquainted with Berlin. It was nice to be able to have a chat with him before each round.

Other statistics, such as the most chosen openings, seemed less meaningful to me, such as the fact that all 9 of my games were opened with 1.e4. Pure coincidence seems to me to be nothing more than a funny trivial fact.

The tournament was won by the only 12-year-old Karl Gersemann with 7.5 out of 9. That was a major feat from the 27^th starting position. I played a fairly anonymous tournament but was lucky enough to score 7 out of 9. I won 5 games and drew 4 times, which earned me exactly 1 rating point. I consider my game from the 2^nd round to be my best.

The tournament has clear advantages (including free parking), but I don’t think I will return here. I find the playing hall insufficiently attractive. Interaction with other players was too stiff. Nevertheless, I certainly dare to recommend the tournament for a group of players who want to combine holiday fun with chess. Both the proximity to Berlin and the biergarten provide a unique and ideal setting for this.

Helmut Froeyman