Austrian Chess Federation

The Austrian Chess Federation, known in German as Österreichischer Schachbund and commonly abbreviated ÖSB, is the national organization responsible for administering and promoting chess in Austria. It coordinates the country's organized chess structure, represents Austrian chess internationally, supports affiliated clubs and players, and organizes the Austrian Chess Championship. The federation is based in Graz and serves a reported membership of approximately 15,000 people. The organization was initially established in 1920, with Josef Krejcik serving as its first president. Its original institutional existence ended after Austria was incorporated into Nazi Germany, when independent Austrian sporting organizations were absorbed or dissolved within the Nazi system. The federation was re-established in 1946 after the Second World War, under the presidency of Josef Hanacik. Hanacik was succeeded by Franz Cejka in 1952. Following Cejka's death in 1971, Kurt Jungwirth became president. Jungwirth led the federation for more than four decades, remaining in office until 2017. During his tenure, he was also involved in the wider European chess movement and became a co-founder and president of the European Chess Union. His long leadership connected the Austrian federation with the development of chess administration at the continental level. In 2017, Christian Hursky succeeded Jungwirth as president. Hursky is an Austrian politician and a member of the Vienna Landtag. The federation's listed president is Christof Tschohl, with Friedrich Knapp serving as vice president. In addition to competition administration, the federation maintains a public-facing chess information role. Since 1981 it has published Schach Aktiv, a chess magazine associated with Austrian chess life. The federation's activities encompass national championship organization, representation of Austrian chess in international structures, and support for the country's clubs, players, and competitive programs. Available reference material does not establish a separate commercial product portfolio or a corporate parent; the federation is best understood as a national sports governing body rather than a consumer brand.

The Austrian Chess Federation was founded in 1920 as the national organization for organized chess in Austria, with Josef Krejcik as its president. Its early history was interrupted by the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany. In that political and institutional context, the independent Austrian federation ceased to exist. Following the end of the Second World War, the organization was re-established in 1946. Josef Hanacik became president during the refounding period and was followed by Franz Cejka in 1952. After Cejka's death in 1971, Kurt Jungwirth assumed the presidency. Jungwirth's tenure lasted until 2017 and represented the longest documented leadership period in the federation's modern history. He also played a role beyond Austria as a co-founder and president of the European Chess Union, linking the Austrian organization to European chess governance. Christian Hursky succeeded Jungwirth in 2017. He is described as an Austrian politician and member of the Vienna Landtag. The federation's listed current leadership includes Christof Tschohl as president and Friedrich Knapp as vice president. The organization is headquartered in Graz and has a reported membership of around 15,000. The federation's responsibilities include organizing the Austrian Chess Championship, supporting the national chess system, and representing Austrian chess in international structures. It has also maintained a publishing function: since 1981, it has issued the chess magazine Schach Aktiv. These activities place the federation at the center of Austrian competitive and institutional chess, rather than in the role of a commercial chess-equipment or media company.

• 2017

  Presidential succession

  [1]Austrian Chess Federationen.wikipedia.org

  Christian Hursky succeeded Kurt Jungwirth after Jungwirth's long presidential tenure.

• 1981

  Launch of Schach Aktiv

  [1]Austrian Chess Federationen.wikipedia.org

  The federation began publishing the chess magazine Schach Aktiv.

• 1971

  Kurt Jungwirth assumes leadership

  [1]Austrian Chess Federationen.wikipedia.org

  Kurt Jungwirth became president after the death of Franz Cejka.

• 1952

  Franz Cejka becomes president

  [1]Austrian Chess Federationen.wikipedia.org

  Franz Cejka succeeded Josef Hanacik as president.

• 1946

  Postwar refounding

  [1]Austrian Chess Federationen.wikipedia.org

  The federation was re-established after its existence ended following Austria's annexation by Nazi Germany; Josef Hanacik became president.

• 1920

  Initial founding

  [1]Austrian Chess Federationen.wikipedia.org

  The Austrian Chess Federation was established as Austria's national chess organization, with Josef Krejcik as president.

National governing body and institutional representative for chess in Austria, combining competition administration, player and club support, chess publishing, and international representation.

• National chess competition

  Austrian Chess Championship

  The federation organizes Austria's national chess championship, serving as a central competitive event for determining national-level champions and showcasing the country's organized chess system. The available reference material does not specify its complete format, venue history, or current schedule.

• Chess magazine · 1981

  Schach Aktiv

  Schach Aktiv is the federation's chess magazine, published since 1981. It represents the organization's publishing and communication role within Austrian chess. The available sources do not provide a detailed account of its editorial format, publishing frequency, or current distribution.

1. 1Austrian Chess Federationen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Austrian Chess Federation official websitechess.at