Introduction to Matthias Blübum’s Achievement
Matthias Blübum, a 28-year-old German chess player, achieved something remarkable last month by qualifying for the World Cup for the candidate tournament, a feat no other German chess player had accomplished in 35 years. He secured this position by coming in second at the FIDE Grand Swiss tournament in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. This means he will compete against seven other elite players to challenge the current world champion, Gukesh Dommaraju, for the title.
Blübum’s Run in Uzbekistan
During his run in Uzbekistan, Blübum defeated many of the biggest names in chess, including the world champion and his highly advertised Indian compatriots Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa and Erigaisi Arjun. Only the winner, the top player of the Netherlands, Anish Giri, ended up above the German player.
Keymer Thwarted
Vincent Keymer, considered Germany’s No. 1 player and a possible future world champion, was held by Blübaum in the 10th round in Samarkand. Blübaum had already mentally prepared for a defeat against Keymer but managed to secure a draw after Keymer overlooked a knight movement in a significantly better position. Keymer eventually only made fourth place.
Reaction from the German Chess Association
Ingrid Lauterbach, President of the German Chess Association (DSB), expressed pride in Matthias Blübaum’s achievement, stating that the association has been more successful internationally than it has been in a long time. The DSB is now more motivated to support Blübaum in every conceivable way, especially considering he has not had the instruction of a professional trainer.
Back Door Qualification for Keymer
Although Keymer did not qualify directly, he still has a chance to enter the candidate tournament through the back door. As one of the top players in the world rankings who has not qualified through one of the four qualification tournaments, he may be granted a place. Keymer is currently in the top 10.
Women’s Chess in Germany
While the German men have seen success in recent years, women’s chess in Germany lags behind, particularly compared to leading nations like China and India. The German Chess Association has been criticized for not having a plan or active resources to promote women’s chess. However, the appointment of a new coach for the national women’s team, Ukrainian grandmaster Zahar Efimenko, is seen as a positive development.
The Secret of Success
According to Jacob Aargaard, a Danish grandmaster and one of the world’s leading trainers, producing very good chess players is simple: organize strong tournaments and provide talented players with the resources to pay for good coaches. Aargaard notes that while there are strong players in Germany like Keymer and Blübaum, the country lacks the depth of talent seen in India, partly due to how European chess officials invest their resources.
Future Plans for Blübum
Blübum realizes he received strong support from the DSB as a young adult. With the $75,000 in prize money he won in Samarkand, he plans to focus on building his team of helpers for the candidate tournament in six months. He believes that despite the differences in support, growing up in Germany does not hinder one’s ability to reach the top.
European Team Championship
The European Championship, which began in Batumi, Georgia, is an opportunity for Blübum and Keymer to lead the German team to victory. Without Russia, which left European chess in 2023, Germany’s toughest opponents could be Serbia, France, or the Netherlands. Blübum is confident, stating that Germany is definitely a top team and their goal must be to win gold.
