The largest chess club in Denmark, the Skakforeningen ØBRO in Copenhagen, will celebrate its 90th birthday in 2026. As befits a club from a nation whose most famous son was a writer of fairy tales, the story of the club has both humble beginnings, a Princess turned Queen, a castle (well, close enough), and a happy ending.
Humble beginnings
The mid-1930’s were a time of turmoil in Denmark, as anyone with knowledge of world history might imagine. In this small kingdom far to the North, a group of people assembled in September 1936, intending to found a new chess club. At their first meeting, only two showed up, but fortunately they must have enjoyed each other’s company, because they decided to meet again soon. At the second meeting there were four, and then finally, as per the rules of fairy tales, the third time was the charm; eight people met, and the club was founded on the 29th of September. Among the eight were seven (male) knights and one Princess, 20-year-old Gerda Frederiksen.
Why include her last name? Well, in those days, for a young unmarried woman to join a group of men and found a chess club might well have caused concern among her friends and relations. Suppose she were to come into contact with unsuitable male company?
As to their unsuitability, one can only speculate. At the founding meeting, a 5-person leadership committee was elected, with Gerda immediately accepting the post of club treasurer. Elected to the post of club secretary was a young man – a prince in disguise? – named Robert Andreasen. Soon after, a fairy tale wedding happened, and Gerda acquired the name by which she is known and remembered by all subsequent members and friends of the club in the years to come: Gerda Andreasen.
A Queen needs a castle
After much hardship, the club thrived in the 1950’s and 60’s. Gerda held the post of chairwoman (Queen?) for 10 years, and from 1947 she managed the Facilities Fund, where every cup of coffee, every bottle of soda or beer, and every piece of cake she baked from home and sold at the club contributed a small amount to be stored in the treasure chests of the Fund. In 1961, when a large and thriving club celebrated its 25th anniversary, Gerda was made an Honorary Member (free membership for life).
The club had grown very large by this time, and then finally, in 1971, a castle was found and purchased: The current club premises in the Østerbro district of Copenhagen. The club celebrated the 50th anniversary of its castle in 2021, a welcome festive event during a period of new hardship worldwide, this time in the form of a plague (COVID-19).
A Queen is laid to rest
Having celebrated Gerda’s 75th and 80th birthdays at the club, full to the brim with both her old friends and new courtiers thankful to her for all her years of hard work, she passed away peacefully on Christmas Day in 1996, aged 80. May she rest in peace.
The happy ending
If only the eight founders could see the club today! 180 members, ranging in age from 6 to 87. 25-30 kids at training every Monday afternoon. Lots and lots of tournaments, both large international ones and local club tournaments. Training for both children and adult beginners. Parties to celebrate the start of the Summer and Christmas breaks, as well as the club’s birthday. And having our own facilities, we can also offer to host events that benefit the entire country. Last year we had both the women’s national championship and a free training weekend for all girls and women who wanted to participate, from beginners to the national team players. Among our members are three of the 10 strongest women players in the country, one of whom is also the highest qualified female arbiter in Denmark.
This year, we already had the pleasure of a visit from Anastasia Sorokina, leader of the FIDE Women’s Commission, who gave a brief presentation and told some fun stories, and played a simul against a group of girls and women. We will also host the upcoming national women’s championship in February, and an international GM tournament in July to celebrate our 90th birthday.
Every new guest at the club will see, upon their entrance, a portrait on the wall of the lobby of an elderly lady sitting at a chess board. The club’s mother, Gerda Andreasen, without whose tireless work for more than half a century none of us would be able to meet there to make new friends and share our love of chess.
May she rest in peace, and we hope she would be happy to see how well we’re doing!
Text by Martin Reib Petersen
Club’s historical photos were taken from: https://oebroskak.dk/om-skakforeningen-%c3%b8bro/historie/
