Münchener Schachstiftung

The Münchener Schachstiftung was founded in 2007 by Roman Kriluch together with Grandmaster Stefan Kindermann, Grandmaster Gerald Hertneck, and Women’s Champion Dijana Dengler. As a non-profit foundation based in Munich, it supports more than 5,000 disadvantaged individuals through free and subsidized chess courses—particularly primary school children at disadvantaged schools, youth with migration backgrounds or refugee experience, children with physical disabilities, autistic children, and seniors in nursing and service centers. With projects such as “Chess in Primary Schools,” “Chess Yoga,” “Chess for Young Refugees,” “Psychosomatics in Clinics,” and school chess championships, the foundation develops innovative programs that strengthen cognitive abilities, social skills, and self-confidence.

"Knowledge alone is not enough – it is thinking that counts!" is at the heart of our mission. We believe in the transformative power of chess to promote concentration, creativity, and effective thinking strategies. Through low-threshold offerings and collaborative partnerships, we aim to establish chess as an inclusive educational tool in Munich's schools and create direct opportunities for children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Our programs are aimed at children and adolescents from educationally disadvantaged families, with a migration background or refugee experience, as well as children and adolescents with physical disabilities and autism. In the adult sector, the focus is on seniors who benefit from mental stimulation and social participation through chess.