Ⅰ-The "legendary" Chess Village in Germany.
Hello readers!
In southern Germany there is a small village, so small that you can't even see its name on a map. It is Strôbek.
Article Contents:
- What is Schachdorf Ströbeck Village?
- History of Chess in the Village
- Chess and the Village Traditions
- To this Day
What is Schachdorf Ströbeck Village?
The “Chess Village” Ströbeck is part of the town of Halberstadt in the Harz district, Saxony-Anhalt, located in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. It is located west of the city center, about 8 km. Schachdorf Ströbeck has 1,149 inhabitants.
A Brief History of Schachdorf Ströbeck
That year, Count Gunzelin, a Slav, was convicted of a crime and exiled to the remote village of Ströbeck. He was imprisoned in a stone tower in the village. It was an ancient three-story tower built in the shape of a granary. Bored with his time in prison, the count took out chess, the aristocratic game of the time, and taught it to his guards, who were also villagers.
Gradually, the villagers became very fond of this game. Partly because they admired the talented count, partly because the game itself was quite attractive, the whole village learned to play chess. After being released, Count Gunzelin thanked the villagers by exempting some taxes for the village for the kind treatment he had received while in prison. The good news spread far and wide, and soon the village's chess skills reached the capital. The German kings all knew the reputation of this unique chess village.
In 1651 Elector - or Kurfiirst - Frederick William of Brandenburg (electors were members of the Holy Roman Empire's Electoral College who voted for the king) visited Ströbeck. He presented the village with a chessboard 8 by 12 squares on one side and 8 by 8 squares on the other side. Additionally, he presented the village with 2 sets of chess pieces: a Courier set of silver and a standard set of ivory.
"His most Serene Highness Frederick William of Brandenburg was, on May 13, 1651, graciously pleased to present this chessboard to the village of Strobeck; and because of their long-famed skill in chess to promise to the residents his protection, and this if for a perpetual memorial within."
Legend also suggests that in 1744 Frederick the Great, en route to Frankfort-on-the-Main, visited Ströbeck and being a chess-lover, challenged the mayor to a game. The king lost his game and gave orders for an emissary to be sent to the village every year to play a game in the public square with the strongest village player. Should the emissay lose his game, the village would be exempt from taxes for that year.
Chess and the Village Traditions
Since then, every house in the village has a chess board ready to invite guests to play "appetizers". In the past, during coronation ceremonies and festivals, the village always organized "human chess" matches on the familiar village grounds. The chess pieces were people wearing costumes according to the names of the chess pieces: the King wore a royal robe, the Queen wore a crown, the Pawns were neatly dressed warriors with swords on their hips... The chess game took place amid the enthusiastic cheers of many people attending the festival. Chess became a traditional game of the villagers, from generation to generation, regardless of age or gender.
To this Day
And the history of the village is still closely linked to chess to this day, Chess is still present in the daily life of the village to this day. Many activities related to chess and the hobby of playing chess of the villagers have not changed. Even after more than 1000 years, the village of Stoebeck in Germany is still a legendary promised land for any chess player in the world.
Conclusion of today’s article: I think this is a very interesting village and has a rich history of chess in a natural way. The presence of chess and the interest of the people in this sport has made the name of Schachdorf Ströbeck known to the world every time it is mentioned. Until now, the customs here still exist and that is a good sign. Thank you for reading, goodbye and see you again.
Actually, I have finished this article. But somewhere in me there is still a lack and I would like to introduce to you some stamps of this chess village. The village of Schachdorf Ströbeck.
