Thomas Pähtz is a German chess Grandmaster, born on 22 September 1956. He was awarded the International Master title in 1975 and the Grandmaster title in 1986. Pähtz competed regularly in the Chess Olympiads for East Germany, then later for an unified Germany. Some highlights of his success include victories over World Champions like Anatoly Karpov and Viswanathan Anand.
He also competed in various qualifications in the European Club Cup, and also won the East German Chess Championship in 1988.
Pähtz has dedicated a significant portion of his career to promoting youth chess in Germany, following in the footsteps of his father, Gerhard Pähtz, who was a renowned national youth coach. His daughter, Elisabeth Pähtz, is one of Germany’s most successful female chess players, having received tutelage from her father.