Hans-Werner von Massow

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Hans-Werner von Massow (born May 13, 1912 in Dresden ; † August 14, 1988 in Hamburg ) was one of the most important organizers of national and international correspondence chess .

Private

In 1929 Massow graduated from high school in Dresden. He then studied journalism, economics and history at the Technical University of Dresden and at the University of Zurich . From 1945 he lived in Hamburg, where he founded the Hamburg Chess Society . He was married to Bertl von Massow (1921-1983), who supported him in his organizational work. His grave is in the Tolkewitz cemetery in Dresden.

Work in the ICCF

On December 2, 1928, he founded the International Correspondence Chess Federation IFSB in Berlin together with Kurt Laue (Halle) and others , from which the ICCF (World Correspondence Chess Federation ) emerged in 1951 . From then until 1939 he was its vice-president and general secretary. From 1959 to 1987 he was elected President. In 1987 he resigned for health reasons. His successor was Henk J. Mostert (Netherlands).

Thus Massow worked for the ICCF for about 60 years. During this time the world association grew to sixty member countries. International tournaments were launched, such as promotion tournaments, cup tournaments, themed tournaments and world championships. The motto Amici sumus (We are friends) was introduced by him.

For his services, the ICCF Congress in Bloemendaal in 1987 appointed him Honorary President.

Work in the BdF

In 1946, Massow was one of the founders of the BdF, today's German Correspondence Chess Federation . He was the managing director here for many years. Under his leadership, the BdF grew to more than 2000 members and was one of the largest correspondence chess organizations in the world.

In the magazine Fernschach , which he had launched in 1929, he regularly published articles; In 1951 he took over the editorial office and held it until his death.

Works

  • Chess is beautiful - chess brings joy . Publishing house of the German Labor Front, Prague 1940
  • (together with Rudolf Elstner ) We ask to the chess board . Caissa-Verlag, Weidenau 1949
  • (Edited together with Eberhardt Wilhelm) Dr. Dyckhoff correspondence chess memorial tournament 1954/56 . Walter de Gruyter & Co., Berlin 1958; 2nd edition, Schachverlag Manfred Mädler, Düsseldorf 1987 ISBN 3-925691-00-6
personal data
SURNAME Massow, Hans-Werner von
BRIEF DESCRIPTION German chess official
DATE OF BIRTH May 13, 1912
PLACE OF BIRTH Dresden
DATE OF DEATH August 14, 1988
Place of death Hamburg