GM Werner Stern

Friday, December 21, 2018: †

Werner Stern recently passed away at the age of 86 years. Werner was a physicist by profession and lived in Bremen for many years. Werner played correspondence chess for more than 50 years and celebrated many successes; he was the first European Champion (individual) and achieved this title for a second time to become the 7th European Champion. Werner obtained the IM title in 1990, the SIM title in 2001 and gained the Grandmaster title in 2009.

In national championships, Werner became the 20th Veterans Champion of Germany (2002 - 2005)

Werner is the only player to have won the European Championship twice apart from Carlos Cruzado (Spain). The confident way, in which he won both tournaments is remarkable; in the first European Championship he achieved 13,5 Points/14 games - 3,5 points ahead of the second and third placed players Risto Kauranan and H. Ernst. In the 7th European Championship he again won with a remarkable 12 points/14 games (11 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss) 2 points ahead of the following players. In finale no. 28 Werner became Vice European Champions, only 0,5 behind the winner Janis Vitomskis.

Also in the World Championships Werner played many interesting and nice games; he won his group in the Candidates Tournaments of the 15th World Championship and achieved a further qualification to Final in the 19th Candidates Tournament. Werner played four finals, ended in the upper midfield and played lots of wonderful games. He repeatedly beat top world-class players in an impressive manner.

We will always honour his memory. Rest in peace, dear Werner!

Uwe Staroske