In memory of Lorenz Maximilian Drabke
05/11/84 – 13/08/18
He started to play chess as a kid in Italy, nation of which he played until 2001.
In the period from 1997 to 2001 Lorenz played in several Italian Youth Chess Championships Under 18 and Under 20. In 2001 his family returns to Germany, but Lorenz does not abandon his passion and continues with chess and engages and thanks to his improvements he was called to play for numerous chess clubs in Germany, Belgium, Switzerland and France.
Upon completion of his studies Lorenz works as a pharmacist for the Deutsche Bundeswehr (the armed forces of Germany) near Frankfurt.
It is right next to the barracks that on August 13th, 2018 on a bicycle ride after work Lorenz was hit by a car and disappeared being only 33 years old.
His last major chess tournament was in Texas (USA) where in June 2018 he travelled to represent Germany once again at the NATO World Chess Championship. Without any doubt chess was his greatest passion.
The Drabke family is moved and grateful that the 8th Salento International Open is dedicated to the memory of Lorenz. His parents and sister will return to Italy for the 8th Salento Chess Open 2019.
“Chess works as life works. We have a plan to start with, but it all depends on what the opponent wants to do, just like in life it is fate deciding.”.
(Arthur Schopenhauer)
Coletta Drabke, 18th January 2019
