Our chess club got started in September 2021 because, surprisingly, ETH didn’t have a chess club—something we thought needed fixing. It all kicked off after the first Polychamps tournament, where ETH went head-to-head with EPFL and came out on top. The buzz from that event made it clear there was a real appetite for chess here, so we decided to make it official.

When we first started, things were pretty difficult. We didn’t even have our own boards and had to borrow equipment for every tournament we organised, leading to us only organising a few events per semester. If you thought chess is not physical, you have never carried 30 chess boards from one location to another! Fast forward a couple of years, and things have changed a lot. We now own our own boards and clocks, run weekly chess evenings, and host big tournaments like the ETH Chess Championship. Polychamps has also leveled up, shifting to an over-the-board format, which makes the ETH vs. EPFL rivalry even more fun and intense.

Speaking of growth, one of our biggest highlights was being invited to the Julius Bär – Play the Grandmasters Event in November 2024. Thirteen of us got to play games, watch blindfold exhibitions, and even compete in a simul against legends like Anish Giri, Judit Polgár, David Howell, and Shriyas Royal. It was an incredible experience and a reminder of how far we’ve come as a club.

These days, SKETHZ is more than just a chess club. We’re a community where beginners and seasoned players alike can find their spot. From casual weekly games to competitive tournaments, there’s something for everyone. And we’re not stopping here—we’re already looking at ways to expand, like teaming up with the University of Zurich to bring even more people into the mix.

We’ve come a long way from those early days of scrambling for boards, and we’re excited to see where the club goes next. Whether you’re a total beginner or a grandmaster, you’re always welcome at our club. Come hang out, play some chess, and be part of our growing community!