Ingrid Lauterbach studied mathematics at FAU from 1979 to 1985, laying the foundation for a successful professional career as well as for her remarkable journey in the international chess world.
She was awarded the title of Woman International Master in 1987, competed in the German Bundesliga and the British Four Nations Chess League, and represented her country at the Women’s Chess Olympiads in 1990, 2008, and 2010. In 2023, Ingrid was elected President of the German Chess Federation, becoming the first woman to hold the position in the organization’s 146-year history. Alongside her outstanding sporting career, the mathematician worked for decades as a manager and cybersecurity expert at Deutsche Bank before retiring last year.
What we can learn from mathematics and chess for life
In the interview, our alumna talks about her time as a student, her fascination with mathematics, and her success in chess. She reflects on maintaining focus under time pressure, learning from mistakes, the importance of global networks, and why chess offers enormous potential—especially for children.
FAU Alumni #MyStory
The short videos in the FAU Alumni #MyStory series focus on outstanding FAU alumni, taking viewers on a journey into the alumni’s student life and providing insights into the impressive resumes and careers of today’s personalities. To do so, they return to the place where it all began: the FAU campus.
