Welcome to the world of chess in Stockholm!
The interest in chess has never been greater, and whether you are a beginner, club player, grandmaster, pensioner, online enthusiast or just want to play with friends, there are opportunities for everyone. Here you will find everything you need to know to start playing chess in Stockholm.
About the Stockholm Chess Federation
The Stockholm Chess Federation is a district association within the Swedish Chess Federation. Our primary mission is to promote the spread and development of chess and to coordinate chess activities in Stockholm. The association has 450 local clubs (of which most are school clubs) with approximately 22,700 members, of whom 21,500 are under the age of 25.
The hub for chess in Stockholm is Stockholms Schacksalonger at Ringvägen 9B near Zinkensdamm. The association’s office is located at Hornsgatan 82. There are always activities going on at Salongerna, and you can almost always drop in and play a game, especially Wednesdays and Thursdays 16-18 when we have drop-in chess.
The office is happy to answer any questions you may have about chess in Stockholm. Don’t hesitate to contact us at tel: + 46 (0)8 669 36 54 or kansli@stockholmsschack.se.
Clubs and competitions
The Stockholm Chess Federation has 34 traditional clubs – you can find a list of the clubs here and how to contact them if you are interested in joining one.
We organise chess tournaments for players of all levels throughout the year – the two largest being Rilton Cup and Schackfyran. The clubs and The Swedish Chess Federation also organise chess competitions. In our calender you can find the different competitions and chess events that take place in Stockholm.
On The Swedish Chess Federation’s website www.schack.se you can find more information about most chess-related events and activities happening across Sweden.
Chess in schools
Chess in schools is an in-depth project offering schools courses and instructional materials with the aim of promoting chess within the framework of school and/or leisure activities. There are more than 400 school chess clubs in Stockholm, and over 2,700 teachers have taken our chess instruction courses. Visit our website: www.schackskolor.se/en or contact the Stockholm Chess Federation office if you would like to know more.
Senior chess
Senior Chess Stockholm offers pensioners both beginner courses and daytime chess games at Stockholm Schacksalonger www.seniorschackstockholm.se (in swedish).
You can also contact Dan Israel, email dan.israel2@icloud.com or telephone +46 (0)70-281 04 05 if you have any questions.
Play free chess games in town
If you want to play for free with old or new chess friends, there are many opportunities. Stockholms Schacksalonger are open almost every day of the week and there is usually someone to play a game with.
Kulturhuset/Stadsteatern has a ”Chess shelf” where there are always players ready for a game. On the last Saturday of every month, ”Chess Saturday at Kulturhuset” is held, where you can play freely on the second floor. Instructors are also on hand to guide and train players.
Stockholm Chess brings people together for fun, casual chess every Sunday in Teaterbaren, Kulturhuset at 12:00. All are welcome to socialize, enjoy the game, and meet new friends – from complete novices to experienced players, who love chess or just want to try it out.
In recent years, the Stockholm Chess Federation has hosted a chess tent at the Stockholm Culture Festival in Kungsträdgården in August. Everyone is welcome to play and learn more about chess or get advice on where to play and practise during the autumn.
In Kungsträdgården, there is both a large chessboard with pieces and several outdoor tables with fixed chessboards where you can play if you bring your own chess pieces.
The Tranströmer Library at Medborgarplatsen has a chess corner, and several other libraries offer chess sets for visitors too.
For adults who want to enjoy chess in a relaxed setting, we recommend Svarta Hästen, a chess and wine bar located below the Laroy nightclub at Biblioteksgatan 21.