Schweizer Schachmuseum

About the museum

The Schweizer Schachmuseum goes back to the collection of the brothers Werner and Roland Rupp, who grew up with the game early on as the children of a chess-enthusiastic father. A private sponsor set up the museum, which opened on December 15, 2012, in Kriens. It changed locations several times, via Horw and Luzern to Rain, where it had to close in October 2021.

After a three-year break, the museum reopened in June 2024 in new premises in Malters. It is on the second floor of a building on Eistrasse and shows more than 32,000 exhibits in display cases across about 260 square meters. These include around 9,100 chess pieces and boards, roughly 12,000 books and just over 3,500 stamps with chess motifs, as well as chess computers and chess sets.

The tour leads through themes from the origins of the game, through the question “Spiel oder Sport?” (game or sport?), to the greatest players of the past and present, and to chess in music, literature or philately. It is a “living” museum: visitors can play a game themselves. Today the operation is organized as an association.

Highlights

• More than 32,000 exhibits on about 260 m²
• Around 9,100 chess pieces and boards, including “The most beautiful chess pieces in the world”
• About 12,000 books and 3,500 chess stamps
• Chess computers and chess sets
• Play chess yourself in the museum

Permanent exhibition

• Dauerausstellung Schach – Tour through around 60 display cases on the origins and history of chess, great players, chess pieces from around the world, chess in music, literature and philately, and chess computers.

Founded

2012

Operated by

Verein Schachmuseum (private Trägerschaft der Brüder Rupp)

Director

Werner Rupp

Admission & discounts

Chess courses for children and young people cost CHF 25 per lesson.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is on the second floor; information on elevator or wheelchair access is not published. Dogs are allowed.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Chess courses for children and young people on Saturday mornings, plus workshops making chess pieces for school classes. In the museum you can play chess yourself.

Getting there & parking

Entrance directly at Eistrasse 5; the museum is on the second floor.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop (Spielezar) and antiquarian bookshop; an aperitif can be arranged on request.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit