Lothar Zinn achieved the first significant chess successes in 1955 and 1956, winning twice in row the titles of the East Germany Youth Chess champion.[2] In the 1960s Lothar Zinn was one of the leading East Germany chess players. He twice won East Germany Chess Championships: in 1961 and 1965.[3] He was also three-times the champion of the East Germany in blitz (1971, 1973, 1976)[4] as well as the gold medalist of the East Germany championship in fast chess (1977).[5] In 1965, he was awarded the FIDE International Master (IM) title.
Lothar Zinn played for East Germany in the Chess Olympiads:[6]
- In 1962, at fourth board in the 15th Chess Olympiad in Varna (+3, =2, -4),
- In 1966, at first reserve board in the 17th Chess Olympiad in Havana (+4, =1, -4),
- In 1968, at third board in the 18th Chess Olympiad in Lugano (+4, =3, -3),
- In 1970, at first reserve board in the 19th Chess Olympiad in Siegen (+3, =4, -2).
Lothar Zinn played for East Germany in the European Team Chess Championship:[7]
- * In 1970, at sixt board in the 4th European Team Chess Championship in Kapfenberg (+3, =3, -1), and won team and individual bronze medals.
Lothar Zinn played for East Germany in the World Student Team Chess Championships:[8]
- In 1960, at second board in the 7th World Student Team Chess Championship in Leningrad (+4, =2, -5),
- In 1961, at first board in the 8th World Student Team Chess Championship in Helsinki (+9, =1, -2) and won team bronze medal,
- In 1962, at first board in the 9th World Student Team Chess Championship in Mariánské Lázně (+7, =3, -3),
- In 1963, at third board in the 10th World Student Team Chess Championship in Budva (+5, =2, -2),
- In 1964, at first board in the 11th World Student Team Chess Championship in Kraków (+6, =1, -5).
