Claus Spahn
Encyclopedia
Claus Spahn is a former TV programme editor
of Germany's Westdeutscher Rundfunk
(WDR) broadcasting corporation, a presenter, producer and author. He was awarded the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 2001.
. He received his doctorate ('Dr. Phil.') in 1969 for his dissertation The history of the theatre of the Ruhr region up to 1933. He worked as a TV journalist for the WDR
from 1969 to 2005. He produced numerous series, portraits and documentaries in the field of cultural and educational policy.
He became known both nationally and internationally through chess programmes. Between 1983 and 2005, he presented the annual live broadcast Chess of the Grandmasters
(Schach der Großmeister), where players including Garry Kasparov
, Anatoly Karpov
, Viswanathan Anand
and Vladimir Kramnik
competed for the TV Cup.
It was on his initiative and under his direction that the WDR regularly reported on the Dortmund Sparkassen Chess Meeting
.
He was awarded the Medal of German Cancer Aid for Niemand soll der Nächste sein! (Nobody should be the next). In 1979, Spahn received the German Industrial Film Prize for the TV series Computer können nicht vergessen! (Computers can't forget) in connection with the Federal Data Protection Act. Under the title and with the TV production Don't be afraid to fly, Spahn and Rainer Pieritz founded seminars to allay the fear of flying in Germany. As author and director, Spahn produced two impressive portraits on Carl Djerassi
, the chemist, author, art collector and Father of the pill, and Otto Erich Deutsch
, the Schubert
researcher (Deutsch Catalog).
(ECU) and the Gold Merit Award of the World Chess Federation FIDE in 2002.
In 2001, he was awarded the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany by Federal President Johannes Rau
for his many years of outstanding journalistic and editorial work.
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
of Germany's Westdeutscher Rundfunk
Westdeutscher Rundfunk
Westdeutscher Rundfunk is a German public-broadcasting institution based in the Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia with its main office in Cologne. WDR is a constituent member of the consortium of German public-broadcasting institutions, ARD...
(WDR) broadcasting corporation, a presenter, producer and author. He was awarded the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 2001.
Vita
Spahn studied History of theatre, German language and literature, Philosophy, and History of art at the University of CologneUniversity of Cologne
The University of Cologne is one of the oldest universities in Europe and, with over 44,000 students, one of the largest universities in Germany. The university is part of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, an association of Germany's leading research universities...
. He received his doctorate ('Dr. Phil.') in 1969 for his dissertation The history of the theatre of the Ruhr region up to 1933. He worked as a TV journalist for the WDR
Westdeutscher Rundfunk
Westdeutscher Rundfunk is a German public-broadcasting institution based in the Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia with its main office in Cologne. WDR is a constituent member of the consortium of German public-broadcasting institutions, ARD...
from 1969 to 2005. He produced numerous series, portraits and documentaries in the field of cultural and educational policy.
He became known both nationally and internationally through chess programmes. Between 1983 and 2005, he presented the annual live broadcast Chess of the Grandmasters
Chess of the Grandmasters
Chess of the Grandmasters is a former German TV programme. The programme was devised, supervised and presented by Claus Spahn.- History :...
(Schach der Großmeister), where players including Garry Kasparov
Garry Kasparov
Garry Kimovich Kasparov is a Russian chess grandmaster, a former World Chess Champion, writer, political activist, and one of the greatest chess players of all time....
, Anatoly Karpov
Anatoly Karpov
Anatoly Yevgenyevich Karpov is a Russian chess grandmaster and former World Champion. He was the official world champion from 1975 to 1985 when he was defeated by Garry Kasparov. He played three matches against Kasparov for the title from 1986 to 1990, before becoming FIDE World Champion once...
, Viswanathan Anand
Viswanathan Anand
V. Anand or Anand Viswanathan, usually referred as Viswanathan Anand, is an Indian chess Grandmaster, the current World Chess Champion, and currently second highest rated player in the world....
and Vladimir Kramnik
Vladimir Kramnik
Vladimir Borisovich Kramnik is a Russian chess grandmaster. He was the Classical World Chess Champion from 2000 to 2006, and the undisputed World Chess Champion from 2006 to 2007...
competed for the TV Cup.
It was on his initiative and under his direction that the WDR regularly reported on the Dortmund Sparkassen Chess Meeting
Dortmund Sparkassen Chess Meeting
The Dortmund Sparkassen Chess Meeting is an elite chess tournament held every summer in Dortmund, Germany.Dortmund is an invite-only event, and only the strongest grandmasters are invited...
.
Series / Films
The series written and produced by Spahn included Keine Angst vorm Fliegen (Don't be afraid to fly) and Der Elternführerschein (The driving licence for parents). Together with Lida Winiewicz, Spahn wrote the 12-part TV serial Wenn die Liebe hinfällt (When love ends).He was awarded the Medal of German Cancer Aid for Niemand soll der Nächste sein! (Nobody should be the next). In 1979, Spahn received the German Industrial Film Prize for the TV series Computer können nicht vergessen! (Computers can't forget) in connection with the Federal Data Protection Act. Under the title and with the TV production Don't be afraid to fly, Spahn and Rainer Pieritz founded seminars to allay the fear of flying in Germany. As author and director, Spahn produced two impressive portraits on Carl Djerassi
Carl Djerassi
Carl Djerassi is an Austrian-American chemist, novelist, and playwright best known for his contribution to the development of the first oral contraceptive pill . Djerassi is emeritus professor of chemistry at Stanford University.He participated in the invention in 1951, together with Mexican Luis E...
, the chemist, author, art collector and Father of the pill, and Otto Erich Deutsch
Otto Erich Deutsch
Otto Erich Deutsch was an Austrian musicologist. He is known for compiling the first comprehensive catalogue of the works of Franz Schubert, first published in 1951 in English, new edition in 1978 in German...
, the Schubert
Franz Schubert
Franz Peter Schubert was an Austrian composer.Although he died at an early age, Schubert was tremendously prolific. He wrote some 600 Lieder, nine symphonies , liturgical music, operas, some incidental music, and a large body of chamber and solo piano music...
researcher (Deutsch Catalog).
Awards
Claus Spahn was awarded the Ehrenteller des Deutschen Schachbundes (Commemorative Plate of the German Chess Federation) in 1992. He received the Deutscher Schachpreis (German Chess Award) of the German Chess Federation on two occasions (1983/2001) for his commitment to the sport of chess, as well as the Medal of the European Chess UnionEuropean Chess Union
The European Chess Union is an independent association for the interests of European chess. It is based in Lausanne Switzerland.-Member Federations:* Albania - Federates Shgiptare te Shahul* Andorra - Federació d'Escacs Valls d'Andorra...
(ECU) and the Gold Merit Award of the World Chess Federation FIDE in 2002.
In 2001, he was awarded the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany by Federal President Johannes Rau
Johannes Rau
Johannes Rau was a German politician of the SPD. He was President of Germany from 1 July 1999 until 30 June 2004, and Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia from 1978 to 1998.-Education and work:...
for his many years of outstanding journalistic and editorial work.
External links
- Dortmunder Schachtage - Winners list and Reports since 1973 by TeleSchach (German)