On May 27, 2025 (from 18-21h), Hof University of Applied Sciences invites you to a special event that combines the intellectual sport of chess and with the regional economy in an innovative way. Under the title “Chess meets Economy – With Chess Skills to Professional Success”, international students from the university will be brought together with company representatives from the region to play and network in a relaxed atmosphere. The event is organized as part of Hof University’s FIT funding project and in cooperation with the Upper Franconia chess district and the Hochfranken economic region.
The event will kick off at 6 p.m. with a specialist lecture in the university’s Audimax: Prof. Dr. Michael Seidel – himself an experienced chess player – will demonstrate the parallels between strategic thinking in chess and business success factors under the title “Chess and Management – Decisions under Complexity”. The lecture will highlight how chess skills such as forward planning, analytical thinking and decisiveness can be an advantage in everyday working life.
Chess is an extremely fascinating mental sport that can benefit you in many areas of life. As it is also very popular with entrepreneurs, we are happy to use the sport as a welcome platform to get into conversation with students.”
Achim Hager, Chairman of the Hochfranken economic region
Blitz chess tournament: students against company representatives
Later in the event, a moderated blitz chess tournament will take place in the B-Foyer of the university, in which the company representatives will compete against twelve international students. The tournament is organized and run by the Upper Franconia Chess Association. The students taking part must apply in advance, while the event is open to all interested visitors.
The tournament will be led by Marcus von Lossow from the local club PTSV-SK Hof and will be played in blitz mode (3 2) over nine rounds in the Swiss system. The duration of the game is around 90 to 120 minutes, including a short break, which can be used for discussions between the participants and an exchange with the company representatives. The winners of the moderated tournament will be awarded a trophy and other non-cash prizes. The 24 participants will also have access to break-out rooms where they can talk to company representatives in a relaxed atmosphere and make contacts in the regional economy. Additional chess boards will also be available throughout the event for newcomers to the royal game.
Company presentations and networking opportunities
Companies also have the opportunity to present themselves during the event. They can set up roll-ups in the B-Foyer, display information material and, if they wish, present their company in moderated discussions. The aim is to promote an informal exchange between students and companies, where the focus is on having fun playing chess – regardless of individual playing level.
Support from the FIT program
The event is being organized with the support of the funding programme “FIT – Förderung internationaler Talente zur Integration in Studium und Arbeitsmarkt”. The aim of the funding is to enable German universities to support international students throughout their entire qualification path with tailor-made offers in order to lead them to academic success and subsequently to a career in Germany. Chess meets economy” is also supported by the Bavarian Chess Federation(Home – Bayerischer Schachbund e.V.).
International students who would like to take part in the blitz chess tournament should contact
Email: fit-projekt@hof-university.de
