PGConf.eu Chess Tournament: A New Experience in Athens

Weeks before the conference, I was already looking forward to my second Postgres conference and my first time in Athens. My first conference - PGConf.de in Munich - was awesome, but I had just started at the company then and felt more like an observer. This time, I was excited to contribute more meaningfully, and I really appreciated the opportunity to support the first-ever chess tournament (as far as I know) at PGConf.eu.

How the Chess Tournament Came to Life

The idea came from my colleague, Jan Karremans, who noticed that chess was already a popular activity in the conference common areas during breaks. With over 800 attendees expected, he thought, “Why not make it official?” It was a fantastic opportunity for people to connect in a new way.

The tournament itself ran throughout the conference. People could sit down at the chess table anytime, play a match, and log their scores on a page we created. We even set up a dedicated Telegram channel where participants could find opponents if no one was available at the moment.
While preparing printouts and props for the tournament, I had some help from the lady at the hotel business center. She probably thought I was nuts, showing up every hour with a new adjustment.. But she was so patient and nice that I just had to bring her one of the adorable elephant-shaped cake pops we got from a local Greek confectionery—which, by the way, were absolutely delicious.

The response to the tournament was incredible! More than 30 participants played about 50 matches over the course of the event. It wasn’t just about the prizes—a classic LEGO chess set, a Harry Potter LEGO chess set, and a mini travel set—but also the chance to unwind, bond with others, and take a break from the buzz of the conference with a friendly game.

Crowning Our Chess Champions

By the final day, the competition was fierce (but friendly), with Haavard as the winner, Miguel taking second place, and Laetitia earning her title as Chess Queen with a strong third-place finish.

As someone still new to the community, it was a real honor to work alongside two of its most welcoming and kind-hearted members, Boriss Mejías and Derk van Veen. Their encouragement made organizing this event a rewarding experience and gave me insight into just how supportive this group truly is. While I may not have an insider’s view yet, it’s clear that this community is full of kind, passionate people. Being able to contribute, even in small ways made me feel more connected to the Postgres world.

Looking Ahead

A big thanks to everyone who joined in, supported, or even just stopped by to watch a match!

Of course, networking at booths and chatting over lunch is valuable, but connecting through a shared hobby (beyond Postgres!) takes it to the next level. It was great to be able to bring people together over something they love, creating memories beyond tech talk and enriching the community experience.

If you have any feedback or thoughts you’d like to share, we’d be happy to hear them.

I hope I will have the chance to support the organization of this tournament—or any other events like it—in the future!

Thanks again to everyone who made it such a great experience.