Playing Chess in Nuremberg: Clubs, Tournaments and History
Nuremberg is one of Germany's most history-rich chess cities – it was here, in 1896, that world champion Emanuel Lasker won one of the strongest tournaments of his era, and to this day clubs such as Schachclub Noris-Tarrasch carry on the name of the great Nuremberg master Siegbert Tarrasch. This guide collects what is actually accessible in the club scene. Where something could not be verified, it is not listed here.
Chess clubs in Nuremberg
The Bayerischer Schachbund (Bavarian Chess Federation) runs the city's clubs. The following selection shows clubs whose game night is publicly listed. A dash means the club does not publish the time permanently, so it's worth checking the club's website.
| Club | District | Game night |
|---|---|---|
| SC Noris-Tarrasch 1873 | – | Friday from 7:00 pm (youth from 4:00 pm) |
| Schachklub Nürnberg 1911 | St. Johannis | Friday from 8:00 pm |
| Schachclub Schwarz-Weiß Nürnberg Süd | Süd | Thursday from 7:30 pm |
The complete list of all member clubs is kept by the Bayerischer Schachbund. Please check each club's website for current dates – game nights regularly shift during school holidays.
A note for a first visit: SC Noris-Tarrasch 1873 has the busiest weekly schedule in the city – training for competitive players on Tuesdays, afternoon chess for seniors on Thursdays, and youth and general play on Fridays at the Loni-Übler-Haus. Schachklub Nürnberg 1911 meets in the parish hall of the Protestant St. Johannis congregation on Palmplatz.
Playing chess outdoors: chess tables and meeting spots
A municipal directory of public chess tables, as exists in some other German cities, could not be confirmed for Nuremberg. The most reliable way to find an open game remains one of the club evenings – above all the Thursday afternoon session at SC Noris-Tarrasch, which is explicitly aimed at an older audience and takes place during the day.
Anyone wanting to play on the go between districts is best served by a foldable travel set that fits in any bag and is ready to use at almost any table. Friday evening at SC Noris-Tarrasch 1873 in the Loni-Übler-Haus brings together two groups at once: from 4:00 pm it's youth time, and from around 7:00 pm the adults take over – so anyone wanting to drop by as a guest will find players at the board at either time of day.
Tournaments and open events
Schachclub Schwarz-Weiß Nürnberg Süd has a packed autumn program: in September the Nuremberg Blitz Championship and a district rapid chess team competition, in October a rapid chess Oberliga round and its own cup tournament. SC Noris-Tarrasch 1873 is active well beyond the region, taking part in the Bamberg Open in September and hosting its own youth cup in October.
Anyone entering a tournament for the first time should know beforehand what equipment is required. The dimensions are not a matter of taste but are regulated – see our article on the DSB and FIDE tournament chess standards.
Chess for children and teenagers
SC Noris-Tarrasch 1873 is the city's strongest club for young players: in 2025 it became German Youth Club Champion in the U20 age group, with several youth teams in different leagues and training on Fridays from 4:00 pm. Schachclub Schwarz-Weiß Nürnberg Süd trains its youngsters on Thursdays from 6:00 pm, an hour before the adult evening, and takes part in youth tournaments across Bavaria, for example in Bamberg and Ergolding.
Anyone wanting to bring their child for the first time will find fixed, recurring sessions at both clubs rather than a one-off taster – a quick message beforehand helps get them placed straight into the right age group. Getting started at home requires little at first: a board of a sensible size and pieces that smaller hands can grip well. Which square size suits which king height is covered in our article on chessboard size.
Nuremberg and chess history
From 20 July to 9 August 1896, the Nuremberg chess club hosted one of the strongest tournaments of its time – originally planned as the German Chess Congress, which then went to Eisenach instead, the Nuremberg tournament developed into an international event in its own right with 19 top players. World champion Emanuel Lasker won with 13½ out of 19 points and the first prize of 3,000 marks, ahead of Géza Maróczy and, tied on points, Siegbert Tarrasch and Harry Nelson Pillsbury. The field also included Wilhelm Steinitz, Joseph Henry Blackburne and the rising Rudolf Charousek, who took the place of the withdrawn Amos Burn on Maróczy's recommendation.
Siegbert Tarrasch, one of the strongest players of his generation, practiced as a physician in Nuremberg throughout his life – his name lives on today in Schachclub Noris-Tarrasch 1873, which was founded 23 years before the great tournament and is thus older than Tarrasch's own career in the city. The club's timeline therefore spans more than a century and a half – from a founding long before the international tournament to a youth division that brought the national U20 title to Nuremberg in 2025. Anyone playing at the Loni-Übler-Haus on a Friday today is continuing a tradition that began long before the club's own home.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I play chess in Nuremberg without a membership?
Most easily through the open club evenings, for example on Fridays at SC Noris-Tarrasch 1873 or at Schachklub Nürnberg 1911 on Palmplatz.
Which Nuremberg chess club is suitable for beginners?
As reigning German Youth Club Champion U20, SC Noris-Tarrasch 1873 has the strongest youth structure. Schachclub Schwarz-Weiß Nürnberg Süd offers another entry point with its Thursday youth training.
Are there public outdoor chess tables in Nuremberg?
A municipally documented setup could not be confirmed. The more reliable route is through the city's open club evenings.
When do open chess tournaments take place in Nuremberg?
In September, the Nuremberg Blitz Championship hosted by Schwarz-Weiß Nürnberg Süd; in October, its rapid chess Oberliga round and cup tournament; plus Noris-Tarrasch's participation in the Bamberg Open beyond the region.
From Lasker in Nuremberg to your own board
Anyone who has played with borrowed equipment at a Nuremberg club evening quickly notices the difference to a well-made set of their own. For a regular game night, our handcrafted wooden sets are a good fit – solid wood, visible grain, pieces with noticeable weight. Anyone wanting to honor the history of the 1896 tournament and Tarrasch's legacy will find boards with character and patina in our collectibles. And for a gift to a club member after a tournament win, it's worth looking at our engraved sets: a dedication in the wood outlasts any trophy. Schachatelier is a Berlin brand, and shipping is from Berlin. Take a look around.
Read more about chess culture in Dresden and in the capital in our articles Playing chess in Dresden and Chess and Berlin.
