Photo: Goldmull · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Schachmuseum Ströbeck

Museum on the chess tradition of the chess village of Ströbeck, with Kurierschach (courier chess) and living chess; closed since a fire in 2019, reopening planned for 2028.

Temporarily closed

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Temporarily closed (expected until 2028). Following a roof-structure fire on November 14, 2019, the museum is closed to visitors. The exhibits are being secured and a new concept is being developed; reopening is planned for 2028. Until then a traveling exhibition is touring.

About the museum

Ströbeck, now a district of Halberstadt, looks back on more than a thousand years of chess tradition. The village has its own style of play, Kurierschach (courier chess), a living chess game with villagers as the pieces, and chess as a school subject. The Chess Museum was founded in 1991 and moved in 2006 into the old town hall on the Platz am Schachspiel. Since the village was incorporated in January 2010, it has belonged to the city of Halberstadt and is part of the Städtisches Museum (municipal museum).

In May 2009 two further exhibition rooms were added: one devoted to chess in art and literature with artfully crafted pieces, and another for changing exhibitions. These included a chess library with a playing and reading room, a media room, and outdoor chess in the inner courtyard. Among the best-known pieces is the Kurfürstenbrett (Electors' Board) of 1651.

On November 14, 2019, a roof-structure fire destroyed large parts of the building; most of the exhibits could be rescued by the fire services. They have since been stored, cleaned and sorted while a new museum concept is being developed. Reopening is planned for 2028. Until then, the traveling exhibition "Schachmuseum Ströbeck on tour" presents the history of the village.