German Chess Championship
The German Chess Championship has been played since 1861, and determines the national champion. Prior to 1880, three different federations organized chess activities in Germany: the Westdeutscher Schachbund, the Norddeutscher Schachbund and the Mitteldeutscher Schachbund. Each one organized its own championship. In 1880, the nationwide Deutscher Schachbund was founded, so afterwards only one German championship was played.
Starting from 1933, the Nazi Party took control of all social activities and until 1943 all chess championships were organized by the Großdeutscher Schachbund. After the end of World War II, separate championships were played in the occupied zones. Afterwards, from 1950 to 1989, two national championships were held in the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic. After the reunification of Germany in 1989, a single tournament has been played.
Championships, 1861–1932
WDSB-Congresses, 1861–1880
MDSB-Congresses, 1871–1877
NDSB-Congresses, 1868–1872
German Congresses, 1879–1932
German Championships, 1933–1949
Championships in Nazi Germany, 1933–1943
Western and Soviet zones championships, 1946–1953
Western zone championships, 1947–1953
Soviet zone championships, 1946–1949
West and East Germany championships
West Germany championships, 1953–1989
East Germany championships, 1950–1990
German championships since 1991
Women
Congress of the German Chess Federation, 1927
Championships of the Greater German Chess Federation, 1939–1943
All-German championships, 1947–1953
Championships of West Germany, 1953–1989
| Year | City | Winner |
| 1955 | Krefeld | Friedl Rinder |
| 1956 | Wolfratshausen | Friedl Rinder |
| 1957 | Lindau | Helga Axt |
| 1958 | Gießen | Helga Axt |
| 1959 | Dahn | Friedl Rinder |
| 1960 | Büdingen | Maria Scheffold |
| 1961 | Wennigsen | Helga Axt |
| 1962 | Eckernförde | Anneliese Brandler |
| 1963 | Krefeld | Hannelore Lucht |
| 1964 | Bremen | Irmgard Kärner |
| 1965 | Wangen im Allgäu | Ottilie Stibaner |
| 1968 | Fürstenfeldbruck | Ursula Wasnetsky |
| 1970 | Lauterbach | Anni Laakmann |
| 1972 | Burg | Anni Laakmann |
| 1974 | Kassel | Anni Laakmann |
| 1976 | Brilon | Anni Laakmann |
| 1978 | Delecke | Barbara Hund |
| 1980 | Schwäbisch Gmünd | Isabel Hund |
| 1982 | Porz | Barbara Hund |
| 1984 | Bad Aibling | Barbara Hund |
| 1987 | Bad Lauterberg | Ute Späte |
| 1989 | Bad Aibling | Isabel Hund |