Club History

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The Start

December 2016 was when the club first opened its doors.  With the sponsorship money, the Swieqi Council were able to raise, all the necessary equipment was purchased.  At that time we did not have a permanent location and we were moving to various venues to host tournaments and classes.  This was proving tiring and at times a bit problematic as there might have been a double booking for the venue and it took considerable time setting up the tables, chairs, and boards each time we went to a venue.

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Move to Independent Premises

November 2018 is when we decided to convert part of an existing property into a permanent residence for the club.  At the start of November, we began refurbishment works on the property to a permanent venue which can now host 26 players.  The work was completed within 6 weeks and on the 1st of January 2019, the Swieqi Chess Club opened its doors, opening 6 times a week and being able to run more classes and offer more tournaments.  The club evolved to support the following facilities:

• Can host up to 26 players

• 14 DGT Electronic Smart Boards + Electronic Pieces

• Live Broadcasting of Chess Tournaments 

• PGNs Electronically recorded and given to members

• 20 club boards + 20 DGT 3000 Clocks

• Fully air-conditioned

• 6 ip cameras for live streaming of tournaments

• 55-inch 4K TV

• 94-inch projector screen with LED projection 

• JBL multimedia sound system

• High-speed wi-fi internet access

• 3ft by 3ft demonstration board

• 10ft by 10ft outdoor chess board

• Outside seating area

• Refreshment area

• The venue is double glazed

• Bathroom facilities

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Susan Polgar Visit

A memorable moment in the history of the club was on Wednesday the 14th of August 2019. After getting to know that Grandmaster Susan Polgar was in Malta, and acting fast to get in touch, GM Polgar visited the Swieqi Chess Club and met with a number of junior chess players.  GM Polgar took a commemorative picture and signed autographs (see right pictures).

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New Bigger Premises

After a couple of years of inactivity, it is now official that the Swieqi Chess Club is to re-open come next January 2023 in a new revamped prime location at Joseph Carbone street, St.Julians. 

 

The new club will be bigger and we ensure to live up to the high standards previously set and will include the following facilities:

• Around 90 square metre of Floor space

• Can host 44 players

• Fully air-conditioned

• Refreshment Room 

• Two spaces for simultaneous training classes

• Bathroom Facilities

• 14 Electronic Boards with Live Online Broadcasting of Games

• All Tournament games recorded and sent to Members

• TV and Projector Facilities

• Wi-Fi 

• 10ft by 10ft Outdoor Chess Board for external activities