Club History

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.

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

Visit by GM Susan Polgar

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).

New Bigger Premises

After a couple of years of inactivity, the Swieqi Chess Club re-opened in May 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 46 to 60 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