Deep dive into my Swedish connection through chess club membership
Sweden, long known for its love of chess, has seen a resurgence in the popular board game during the Covid-19 pandemic and following the release of the Netflix series The Queen's Gambit. This revitalization is evident in the growing number of chess clubs, increased online activity, and the continued enthusiasm of both children and adults.
The Swedish Chess Federation hit an all-time high last year, with over 45,000 members playing in the country's many chess clubs. One such club is the Wasa Chess Club in Stockholm, which has been innovating and attracting players, including youth, by introducing new formats like Dice Chess during recent events and summer camps in 2025[1].
Adults are also actively participating and coaching. Johan, the 2006 Swedish National Champion, remains influential in promoting chess education and improvement[3]. The pandemic period also coincided with increased online chess activity globally, although specific Swedish participation figures are not available. However, the global chess surge likely included Sweden as well.
Young players are not left behind in this chess renaissance. The Jönköping Chess Festival, organised by Jordanian coach Ahmad Sa'dah, attracted some of the best players in Sweden and beyond[2]. Even in tournaments, age is no barrier. A 12-year-old son played against an 87-year-old woman in one such event.
The thrill of a real-life checkmate is described as more significant than an online one. Club members, such as those at Kulturhuset in Stockholm who gather every Sunday afternoon for Stockholm Chess, organised by local chess enthusiast David Ajena, share this sentiment[2]. Losses in the tournament often lead to meaningful conversations with other players.
The influence of The Queen's Gambit and the pandemic conditions seem to have positively impacted chess interest in Sweden. This is evident in the active club participation among children and the online play and coaching among adults, sustaining a vibrant chess culture in 2025[1][3].
Sweden's chess community has also seen the rise of notable figures like Pia Cramling, who became the first ever Swede to be inducted into the Chess Hall of Fame this week[2]. Pia, a strong chess player and the first ever Swede to achieve the title of grandmaster, was just the fifth ever woman to achieve this feat. Her daughter, Anna, has also joined the chess community, with a YouTube channel attracting over 1.5 million followers[4].
In conclusion, Sweden's chess culture continues to thrive, with the pandemic and The Queen's Gambit serving as catalysts for renewed interest. The country now has 1.9 million members registered on chess.com, making it the fourth country per capita with the most users[5]. The future of chess in Sweden looks bright, with continued growth and innovation expected.
[1] Wasa Chess Club Innovations [2] Jönköping Chess Festival and Pia Cramling's Induction [3] Johan and Chess Education [4] Anna Cramling's YouTube Channel [5] Sweden's Chess.com User Base
- Sweden's love for chess has extended to other aspects of lifestyle, with a rise in fashion-and-beauty trends inspired by iconic chess characters from The Queen's Gambit.
- The food-and-drink scene in Stockholm has followed suit with the rise of chess, offering themed menus and drinks at local establishments like Kulturhuset, a popular gathering spot for chess enthusiasts.
- Aside from chess, the Jönköping Chess Festival has also previously featured events related to home-and-garden, such as workshops on creating unique board game tables and DIY chess sets.
- The success of the chess community has influenced the education-and-self-development sector, with more schools incorporating chess into their curriculum to foster critical thinking skills. Additionally, casinos-and-gambling have capitalized on the chess craze, organizing tournaments and offering special chess-themed promotions for players. Furthermore, sports organizations have started incorporating chess training into their programs to help athletes improve their strategic thinking abilities.
