Stefan Waller will also take part in the “Brain Games”, the traditional TuS Fürstenfeldbruck rapid chess tournament, on Saturday from 11 a.m. in the Marthabräuhalle. More than 200 mental athletes from all over the country will fill the hall to the last seat. In rapid chess, each player has only 15 minutes to think about it. Waller was only elected head of the TuS chess department four months ago. At 24, the youngest TuS chess boss in the club’s 97-year history talks about his personal prospects at the tournament and about the current situation and prospects for chess locally.
Stefan Waller, head of the chess department at TuS Fürstenfeldbruck.
(Photo: private/oh)
SZ: What chances do you have at the tournament yourself?
Stephen Waller: I don’t have much of a chance. A victory over a grandmaster or international master is also not likely. I’ll end up in the big middle field and maybe I’m hoping for a rating prize around my DWZ from 1926, that’s my German ranking list rating number.
What is important in rapid chess?
It’s about finding spontaneous solutions. It’s important not to experiment, but to play things that you know. When opening with the white pieces, you should make familiar moves. As the game progresses, you can act yourself and bring up your own ideas. That has always worked well for me.
What makes the difference to the top players?
A big point with them is experience and routine. They are very well versed in theory, know a lot of little tricks that others don’t know, and thereby create advantages for themselves. They no longer give up these advantages and continue to use them until the end of the game.
The tournament brings in a lot of money for the club.
Yes we do a plus with the event. But it is more of a figurehead for the club than a money factor.
Not so many grandmasters this time.
That depends on the appointment. The Bundesliga also plays this weekend and the top players are busy there. Their starting fee is often much higher than our prize money in the top places.
What is the general status of chess after Corona?
During the Corona period, it was found that many former players and beginners found their way back to chess at home via online chess. Chess has become more popular. This is also evident in the presence tournaments. Everywhere the tournaments have higher numbers of participants than before Corona. It’s going up, you can really say.
Also at TuS?
We have to make up for the loss of members during the Corona period when we were unable to hold our chess evenings. They now take place every Thursday evening from 7 p.m. as usual in the “Auf der Lände” inn. Interested men and women are welcome to come to a taster evening. We offer all levels of play, so that even beginners can dare to come along.
What about the offspring?
Of course we could use more children and young people. Also on Thursday before the adults is our youth training. There is playing, but there is also teaching. I’m sure things will improve with the youngsters too. In any case, chess is no longer smiled at, that has changed. The slogan “Chess makes you smart” resonates with the children.