Profile
German chess organizer and international sports governance professional active in Swedish chess, with close ties to Latvia and extensive experience across the European chess community. Living a truly European chess life, he has built long-standing relationships with federations, clubs, organizers, and players across the continent.
Professionally, he serves as Head of International Business Development at Walcot Group, a diversified international conglomerate operating across commodity trading, oil and gas exploration and production, manufacturing, testing and certification, and construction in Africa. His work involves developing international partnerships, identifying strategic opportunities across multiple jurisdictions, and managing complex senior-level negotiations in multicultural and commercially sensitive environments.
Core competencies: International Sports Governance • Financial Oversight • Event Management • Stakeholder Relations • International Negotiation • Youth Chess Development • Organizational Leadership
Executive Profile
International chess organizer and sports governance professional with extensive experience in European chess administration, international cooperation, and large-scale event management.
Chairman of the organizing committee of the Rilton Cup, Sweden's largest international chess open, welcoming players from around 40 countries. Responsible for overall organization, including sponsorship coordination, operational planning, international participant relations, and tournament delivery at scale.
Project Manager for Schackfyran Stockholm at the Stockholm Chess Federation, one of the largest youth chess initiatives in Northern Europe, involving approximately 8,000–10,000 schoolchildren annually (4th–6th grade) and requiring coordination between schools, municipalities, volunteers, and chess clubs.
Head of International Business Development at Walcot Group, responsible for identifying strategic opportunities across African markets, developing international partnerships, and managing complex negotiations involving government representatives, industrial partners, and investors.
Selected Achievements in Chess Administration
Rilton Cup (2022–Present)
Chairman of the organizing committee of Sweden's largest international chess open. Responsible for strategic oversight, sponsor relations, operational coordination, and international player engagement across ~40 participating countries.
Schackfyran Stockholm (2022–Present)
Project Manager for one of Europe's largest school chess initiatives with annual participation of 8,000–10,000 children. Responsible for execution, coordination with schools, and large-scale grassroots chess development.
Wasa SK — Stockholm Chess Club (2011–Present)
One of Sweden's leading chess clubs. Served as President (2012–2016), currently Vice Chairman and Team Captain. Responsible for club leadership, league participation, and long-term development of competitive teams.
Competitive Chess Achievements
- Candidate Master (CM)
- Winner of the Latvian Chess League (2017)
- Five-time winner of the Stockholm Team Championship (Lag-DM) with Wasa SK
- Bronze medalist in the Jordanian Chess League (2024)
Professional Background Outside Chess
Head of International Business Development — Walcot Group (2012–Present)
Responsible for strategic business development across multiple African jurisdictions for a diversified international conglomerate active in commodity trading, oil and gas, manufacturing, testing and certification, and construction. Duties include international partnership development, stakeholder negotiation, and multi-jurisdictional project coordination.
Commitment
Committed to strengthening European chess through professionalism, financial responsibility, institutional stability, and constructive cooperation between federations of all sizes.