Playing Chess in Bern: Clubs, Tournaments and History
Bern has one of the densest chess club landscapes in Switzerland: at least nine clubs are active around the capital, led by the 150-year-old Schachklub Bern. This guide collects what is actually accessible in today's club scene. Where something could not be verified, it is not listed here.
Chess clubs in Bern
The following selection shows clubs in the Bern area whose game night is publicly listed. A dash means the club does not publish the time permanently, so it's worth checking the club's website.
| Club | District | Game night |
|---|---|---|
| Schachklub Bern | Altenberg | Thursday from 7:30 pm |
| Schwarz-Weiss Bern | – | Thursday (Restaurant Tscharnergut) |
| Schachklub Bümpliz | Bümpliz | Tuesday (Restaurant Yaadein) |
Other clubs in the greater Bern area include Bantiger (Tuesdays, Muri-Gümligen), Belp (Mondays), Gurten (Wednesdays, Köniz) and Köniz Bubenberg (Wednesdays, Wabern) – a complete overview is kept by Bernerschach. Please check each club's website for current dates – game nights regularly shift during school holidays.
A note for a first visit: in August 2022, Schachklub Bern moved into its new venue, Altenberg, on the Aare, a seven- to ten-minute walk from Waisenhausplatz. With around 150 years of history, the club is by far the most tradition-rich in the region, and in 2023 it hosted the Swiss Individual Championship to mark its own anniversary. Schwarz-Weiss Bern meets on Thursdays at Restaurant Tscharnergut, Schachklub Bümpliz on Tuesdays at Restaurant Yaadein – both thus offer an easy-going alternative in a restaurant setting rather than a classic club venue.
Playing chess outdoors: chess tables and meeting spots
A municipal directory of public outdoor chess tables could not be confirmed for Bern. The most reliable way to find an open game remains one of the many club evenings – with nine clubs in the greater Bern area, there is a session nearby on almost every day of the week.
Anyone wanting to play on the go is best served by a foldable travel set that fits in any bag and is ready to use at almost any table. Given the density of clubs in the greater Bern area – from Bantiger to Gurten to Zollikofen – it's always worth a quick check before a trip into the surrounding area to see whether the local club is having its game night.
Tournaments and open events
In May 2023, Schachklub Bern organized the Swiss Individual Championship to mark its 150th anniversary – evidence of the club's weight in the national tournament calendar. The club itself has played in the top Swiss league (NLA) since its promotion in 2009 and won the team championship in 2011 and 2013 together with Réti Zürich.
Anyone entering a tournament for the first time should know beforehand what equipment is required. The dimensions are not a matter of taste but are regulated – see our article on the official tournament chess standards.
Chess for children and teenagers
Schachklub Bern trains its young players on Thursdays from 5:30 to 7:00 pm at the Pestalozzi school building – right before the adult evening at the Altenberg venue, so families can combine both sessions in one evening.
Getting started at home requires little at first: a board of a sensible size and pieces that smaller hands can grip well. Which square size suits which king height is covered in our article on chessboard size.
Bern and chess history
Schachklub Bern celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2023, which places its founding around 1873 – making it one of the oldest clubs still active in the country. Its more recent history was shaped decisively by André Lombard: the International Master became Swiss champion five times between 1969 and 1977, represented his country at five Chess Olympiads and later, from 2005 to 2011, became the first full-time managing director of the Swiss Chess Federation.
In sporting terms, the club enjoyed a second spring in the 2000s and 2010s: promotion to the Nationalliga A came in 2009, followed by team championship titles in 2011 and 2013 together with Réti Zürich. With Lena Georgescu, currently the strongest female player in Switzerland, and the newly titled FIDE Master Igor, the club remains a place where top national players regularly meet today.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I play chess in Bern without a membership?
Most easily through one of the open club evenings, for example on Thursdays at Schachklub Bern in the Altenberg venue or on Tuesdays at Schachklub Bümpliz.
Which Bern chess club is suitable for beginners?
With its Thursday youth training before the adult evening, Schachklub Bern offers a low-barrier entry point for families.
Are there public outdoor chess tables in Bern?
A municipally documented setup could not be confirmed. The more reliable route is through the region's many open club evenings.
When do open chess tournaments take place in Bern?
In 2023, Schachklub Bern hosted the Swiss Individual Championship to mark its own 150th anniversary; as an NLA club, it is also active all year round in Switzerland's top league.
From Lombard to today: Bern's chess tradition at your fingertips
Anyone who has played with borrowed equipment at a Bern club evening quickly notices the difference to a well-made set of their own. For a regular game night, our handcrafted wooden sets are a good fit – solid wood, visible grain, pieces with noticeable weight. Anyone wishing to honour the 150-year history of Schachklub Bern will find boards with character and patina among our collector's pieces. And for a gift to a club member after a tournament win, it's worth looking at our engraved sets: a dedication in the wood outlasts any trophy. Schachatelier is a Berlin brand. Take your time and have a look around.
Read more about chess culture in Basel and in the capital in our articles Playing chess in Basel and Chess and Berlin.
