Story perspectives

Rare Chess Memorabilia Auction Sparks Global Interest

3/8/2026

Summary

Story summary

Sotheby’s in London will auction chess memorabilia owned by Lothar Schmid, a German grandmaster, including items from the 1972 Match of the Century and score notes, among over 50,000 artifacts.
Schmid's son, Bernhard, shared insights into his father's chess passion and collecting.
Sotheby’s expects strong interest due to chess's resurgence, fueled by the pandemic and The Queen’s Gambit.
The auction will include the only Italian edition of Givocho’s Chess Book.

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Story summary

Sotheby’s in London will auction chess memorabilia owned by Lothar Schmid, a German grandmaster, including items from the 1972 Match of the Century and score notes, among over 50,000 artifacts.
Schmid's son, Bernhard, shared insights into his father's chess passion and collecting.
Sotheby’s expects strong interest due to chess's resurgence, fueled by the pandemic and The Queen’s Gambit.
The auction will include the only Italian edition of Givocho’s Chess Book.