The 2009 jubilee of the Schachgesellschaft Zürich is now almost history. The events that were kicked off at the 200th general assembly on 6 June 2009, will conclude with the final round of the national league A (Swiss Team Championship) on 17/18 October 2009. Falling between the two, and from 9-23 August, we had the pleasure of celebrating the venerable 200-year history of the oldest chess club in the world, with three highlights: the Jubilee-Open at the Kongresshaus Zürich and the Champions Simultan and the Champions Rapid, both held at Zurich Main Station. As we had hoped, each of the events was a success for chess enthusiasts: from the hobby player through to the current world champion, Viswanathan Anand; from the spectators enjoying the super atmosphere on site, through to the friends of chess who watched the tournaments as live coverage on the net from every part of the globe. If Garry Kasparov’s assessment is true, then the 2009 jubilee itself is but a small piece in the greater picture of chess history.

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The jubilee festivities would never have been possible without the support of our sponsors and partners. Our heartfelt thanks to each and all of them!

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The Schachgesellschaft Zurich held its annual meeting at Credit Suisse's Forum St. Peter on Saturday, 6 June. Nearly half of the club's 91 members attended – among them many notables as well as former and present day contestants like Alex Crisovan, Edgar Walther, Josef Kupper, Dieter Keller, and Jonathan Rosenthal. They all listened attentively to President Christian Issler presenting information regarding the many positive results of the past season. To marvel at was the champion's cup, awarded to the first team of the club this anniversary year for the 22nd time (Swiss Team Championship).

Presentation of Jubilee Book: «Schachgesellschaft Zürich: 1809 bis 2009»

Richard Forster presented his new book «Schachgesellschaft Zürich: 1809 bis 2009» in front of a large audience at the Forum St. Peter of Credit Suisse on 6 June. He highlighted some of the essential questions of the volume, e.g. «For which reasons did the Schachgesellschaft Zurich become the world's oldest chess club?» Forster didn't want to provide a final answer. Of vital importance may have been the medium size of the city. But, according to the author, it was certainly the fortunate fact, that many enthusiastic club members volunteered their time and effort, that kept the club going over many years. More...

using Richard Forster’s new book about the Schachgesellschaft Zürich

Contestants who would like to compete in the simultaneous exhibition taking place at the Schachgesellschaft Zürich's jubilee must correctly answer several quiz questions. Richard Forster’s recently published book «Schachgesellschaft Zürich: 1809 bis 2009» holds the treasured information contestants will seek in answering these tricky questions. In addition to the Champions Simultan, the jubilee events include a world-class open tournament from 9 to 15 August and the champions’ rapid chess tournament on 23 August. More...