German Chess Bundesliga 2026/27 Starts: Baden-Baden and Bayern Win Twice

OSG Baden-Baden, FC Bayern Munchen and SC Viernheim have won both of their opening matches in the German Chess Bundesliga 2026/27 season.

The 2026/27 season of the German Chess Bundesliga has begun, and three teams have won both of their first two matches: OSG Baden-Baden, FC Bayern Munchen and SC Viernheim.

The Bundesliga is one of the strongest team leagues in the world. Sixteen teams play each other once over a long season that runs until April 2027. Matches are played over eight boards at a classical time control, and many of the world's top players appear for German clubs, including French star Maxime Vachier-Lagrave this weekend.

SC Viernheim made the most impressive start. In round 1 they beat SV Erkenschwick 7-1, and in round 2 they beat SC Heimbach-Weis-Neuwied 5-3.

OSG Baden-Baden, the most successful club in Bundesliga history, won both matches by the narrowest margin. They beat SG Solingen 4.5 to 3.5 in round 1 and SC Remagen Sinzig by the same score in round 2.

FC Bayern Munchen beat Hamburger SK 5-3 in round 1 and MSA Zugzwang 5-3 in round 2.

There were also some draws. FC St. Pauli and Hamburger SK drew 4-4 in a Hamburg derby, and SF Bad Mergentheim drew with SF Berlin by the same score.

The Bundesliga has a special place in chess history. For decades, top players from around the world have travelled to Germany to play club chess, giving German fans a chance to see world-class games up close. Many young German players have learned their chess by playing on the same team as grandmasters.

There is a lesson in Baden-Baden's narrow wins. In team chess, a win is a win, whatever the margin. Experienced teams know how to keep matches under control and secure the result, even when individual games are tough.

Round 3 is played today, and the season continues through the winter.