Top three teams face off, Heimbach-Weis-Neuwied to meet all frontrunners

With twelve rounds completed in the 2025/26 Chess Bundesliga, SC Viernheim head into the final weekend with a three-point lead over OSG Baden-Baden, while Schachfreunde Wolfhagen remain in third place, one point further back. In the Bundesliga system, a match win is worth two points, leaving a maximum of six points still available.

The remaining rounds, scheduled for 24 to 26 April in Berlin, will determine the final standings. Viernheim won the league in the 2023/24 season, while Baden-Baden enter the closing phase as sixteen-time Bundesliga champions.

Mastering the London System

In this course, Grandmaster Elisabeth Pähtz presents the London System, a structured and ambitious approach based on the immediate Bf4, leading to rich and dynamic positions.
The London System is one of the most popular openings at every level of chess but not all Londons are the same. In this course, Grandmaster Elisabeth Pähtz presents the London System, a structured and ambitious approach based on the immediate Bf4, leading to rich and dynamic positions.
Free sample video: Introduction
Free sample video: 5...cxd4 6.exd4 Qb6 sidelines

The closing rounds will be played at the Willy-Brandt-Haus and feature direct encounters between the three leading teams. Leaders Viernheim are due to face Wolfhagen on Friday and Baden-Baden on Saturday, while Baden-Baden and Wolfhagen will meet in the final round on Sunday. In addition, all three sides will coincidentally all play SC Heimbach-Weis-Neuwied, who are currently 13^th in the table with 8/24 match points.

Viernheim have recorded twelve victories in as many matches and arrive in Berlin as the favourites to take the title. However, their remaining fixtures include matches against both of their closest rivals. Baden-Baden and Wolfhagen will be highly motivated to gain ground in these head-to-head encounters.

The Viernheim squad had reason to celebrate following yet another weekend with consecutive match victories on 21-22 March | Photo: Angelika Valkova

The Berlin weekend will also determine positions in the lower half of the table. Several teams are still seeking additional points to secure their Bundesliga status. The team currently in last place, Dresden, face a significant gap to 13^th place, while MSA Zugzwang and SF Berlin still have chances to move up the standings. Heimbach-Weis-Neuwied, placed 13^th in the 16-team field, face the three leading teams in succession.

The starting times of each of the final rounds are as follows (local time):

• Round 13: Friday, 24 April at 16.00
• Round 14: Saturday, 25 April at 14.00
• Round 15: Sunday, 26 April at 10.00

Standings after round 12

Najdorf: A dynamic grandmaster repertoire against 1.e4 Vol.1 to 3

In the first part of the video series, we will look at White’s four main moves: 6. Bg5, 6. Be3, 6. Be2 and 6. Bc4.

Find detailed information on the German Chess Federation website...

Pairings

Rosters of the three frontrunners

SC Viernheim

Reversed Sicilian Power - Win with 1.c4 e5!

In this course, IM Nico Zwirs presents the Reversed Sicilian as a powerful and practical weapon for White
In this course, IM Nico Zwirs presents the Reversed Sicilian as a powerful and practical weapon for White. The core idea is simple: players who already play the Sicilian with Black can leverage their existing knowledge to build a dynamic and effective setup with White.
Free video sample: Introduction
Free video sample: 2.d3 Sidelines

OSG Baden-Baden

Sfr. Wolfhagen

All available games

Links

• Official website
• Pairings and results on the German Chess Federation website