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 (WDSB), the Norddeutscher Schachbund (NDSB) and the Mitteldeutscher Schachbund (MDSB). 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

! # !!Year !! City !! Winner

MDSB-Congresses, 1871–1877

NDSB-Congresses, 1868–1872

German Congresses, 1879–1932

! # !!Year !! City !! Winner

German Championships, 1933–1949

Championships in Nazi Germany, 1933–1943

! # !!Year !! City !! Winner

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

! # !!Year !! City !! Winner

East Germany championships, 1950–1990

! # !!Year !! City !! Winner

German championships since 1991

! # !!Year !! City !! Winner

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

Open German Women's Championships since 1971

International Open German Women's Championships since 1977

Championships of the Soviet occupation zone, 1948–1949

Championships of the GDR, 1950–1990

German championships since 1991

The German Women's Championship is held every odd-numbered year as a 9-round Swiss tournament (DFEM). In even-numbered years an international open tournament is held (IODFEM). !Year !! City !! Winner