Hamburger SK caused the first surprise at the start of the new Bundesliga season and defeated defending champion Viernheim in the home game on Sunday. The champions had to do without a number of their top players, most of whom were active in the Global Chess League, which was taking place at the same time in London. The first six on the entry list and Chithambaram VR were missing. Aravindh, originally reported on board seven, took the top board.
The Indian grandmaster couldn’t get past a draw against Frederik Svane, just like David Anton against Rasmus Svane and Anton Korobov against Niclas Huschenbeth. Luis Engel and Julian Kramer scored full points against their opponents against Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus and Konstantin Tarlev, while the Viernheimers were unable to win a board, even though they had an upper rating on all boards despite the lack of top players.
photo-subtitle">Luis Engel
photo-subtitle">Julian Kramer
Julian Kramer won a Thorie duel in the classic variant against his nominally stronger opponent and was lucky enough that his opponent did not take advantage of a few inaccuracies from Hamburg at the end.
The Hamburger SK had confidently completed their compulsory task against Heimbach-Weis-Neuwied the day before and are now one of the leading teams with four team points. Last year too, the HSK started with a surprising 4:4 against the record champions and defending champions, but was unable to repeat its performance over the course of the season and was even in serious danger of relegation.
photo-subtitle">The strongest German pair of brothers in chess: Rasmus and Frederik Svane
This is not to be expected in the new season, as the club is now supported by patron Jan Henrik Büttner and his Freestyle Weissenhaus Operations GmbH, was able to keep its national players Frederik and Rasmus Svane and has received strong newcomers with returnees Niclas Huschenbeth and Leonardo Costa.
photo-subtitle">Niclas Huschenbeth
photo-subtitle">Leonardo Costa
With their chic white and blue sponsor shirts, the Hamburgers are also ahead in the B grade.
Due to the short-term withdrawal of Doppelbauer Turm Kiel, Hamburger SK lost its travel partner and won a few additional real home fights. Since only one competition is played at the Hamburg away games, the HSK can host the Bundesliga competitions in its beautiful clubhouse.
However, some competitions will be played in the auditorium of the Alter Teichweg district school, and the HSK will hold a few more at its neighbor St. Pauli. In any case, the table picture will be lopsided until the end of the season, until all teams have had their bye against Kiel.
After the reform of the second division, the relegation battle is a little more relaxed than in previous years, as there are now only three relegated teams instead of four. Since a relegation place with Kiel has already been taken, there are only two teams in the current season.
In addition to Viernheim, the co-favorites from Düsseldorf and Baden-Baden also suffered from the Global Chess League, which was taking place at the same time. Düsseldorf came out of the affair well at the early competitions in Kirchweyhe. Baden-Baden also returned home without its first eight against the Munich-based Bayer with two wins and four points, but had struggled.
The 5:3 win against the hosts on Saturday was a confident one, but the 4.5:3.5 against Deggendorf on Sunday was quite fortunate. Deggendorf had already taken a point from Deizisau on Saturday.
Newcomer Bad Mergentheim got off to a good start in Dresden. On Saturday there was a 4.5:3.5 win against St. Pauli, who played without their new additions, and on Sunday Bad Mergentheim drew against Werder Bremen. Rice partner Dresden won both fights against the guests.
Table after 2 rounds
Results Round 1
Results round 2
Results service of the German Chess Federation…
