Yesterday, we had the amazing opportunity to attend an exclusive VIP event organized by Julius Bär, featuring none other than David Howell, Anish Giri, Judit Polgár, and Shreyas Royal. Thirteen of our players got to join, and we had a great time meeting our chess heroes and interacting with them in person. Phrases like “this is the best evening of my life” were being thrown around—and honestly, it’s hard to disagree. Let’s break down what made this evening so special.

Leading up to the event, we were treated to something extra special: online games with Anish Giri and Magnus Carlsen! Five lucky players, chosen randomly, got the chance to take on Anish, while one person had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play Magnus. To top it off, there was a Zoom call at the same time where we very briefly analyzed the games with them. This included some hilarious commentary on some questionable moves we made. It was lighthearted, fun, and got us even more hyped for the main event.

At 5 PM on the day itself, we arrived at the Careum Auditorium in Zürich—a gorgeous venue near ETH Zentrum. Dressed in the required “smart casual” dress code, we were greeted with tasty snacks and champagne. One of our attendees, Dorian, arrived early and even spotted some of the famous guests in person. Jealous, much? Little did we know how much more incredible the night was going to be.

Walking into the main room, we were greeted by 15 chess boards, ready for the simul that was set to take place later. But first, we settled in for a podium discussion with the four grandmasters. And wow—what a discussion it was! They covered topics like generational differences in chess, the impact of engines, women in chess, and the influence of showmanship during streaming. It was absolutely fascinating.

The Q&A session that followed was the first chance for us to interact directly with the GMs. Not to brag, but our players came up with some of the most interesting questions. It was great to see their answers and insights on the discussed topics.

After the discussion, we were treated to a short blindfold exhibition match where Anish Giri defeated Shreyas Royal. Then, the simul began, and seven of our players got the chance to play against the GMs. They rotated their turns, making it harder for them as they had to adjust to each other’s different styles. Some of us even managed to get into winning positions at times! But alas, no one managed to convert their advantage, and we all eventually lost. Still, it felt like a big win just to play against them. In case you are interested, here are some of the games we played: https://lichess.org/study/3CwsK7V6.

Then came the big surprise of the evening: we got to take home the chessboards we played on, signed by the grandmasters themselves! These boards instantly became treasured collector’s items, packed with memories from the games. It’s safe to say we we will forever cherish these boards.

After the simul, things became a bit more casual. We had the chance to take photos with the grandmasters and chat with them about their lives as top players. We talked about how being at the top affects their daily routines, how they view their peers, and what they thought of Zürich. To top it all off, we played a Hand-and-Brain game with Anish and David. Team David won in the end, thanks to a few too many pawn moves suggested by “Brain Anish”—a hilarious and memorable moment to finish the night.

All in all, it was an unforgettable event, and we’re incredibly grateful to Julius Bär for organizing it. Everyone had an amazing time meeting these chess legends in real life, and the memories we made will stay with us forever.