Kolbus moved to
Trier in the 1980s to study computer science, and also joined the SG Trier Bundesliga Chess Team. He later sponsored the team, moving them into the
4NCL. Kolbus competed in the
FIDE Grand Swiss Tournament 2023, where he was the bottom seed. He managed to hold draws against grandmasters
Adhiban Baskaran,
Adham Fawzy, and
Alexandr Fier. Kolbus died on July 22, 2024 while playing at the
Biel Chess Festival 2024. ==Personal life==