Chess in Schools and Communities (CSC), a charity that uses chess to enhance children’s educational and social development, is announcing the return of ChessFest, the one-day takeover of Chavasse Park at Liverpool ONE, and Trafalgar Square on Sunday 16 July – with a day of chess fun designed to encourage kids and adults to get ‘on board’ with the world’s oldest game.
The activities are free and open to all. Members of the public will be able to challenge grandmaster Stephen Gordon, the highest rated player in the North West. There will also be free tuition from professional chess teachers, with separate teaching zones for adults and children.
A giant screen will broadcast live chess matches played online between children from London and Liverpool, as well as a ‘Battle of the Prodigies’ between the USA and England. ChessFest is being staged in association with Liverpool Chess Club, established in 1837, it is one of the oldest active clubs in the UK, and was one of the main centres of world chess in the 19th century.
ChessFest aims to build on the surge in popularity of chess after the success of Netflix show ‘Queen’s Gambit’ and showcase its universal appeal as we approach ‘International Chess Day on 20 July.
Sunday’s Chavasse public event:
- Free chess lessons for children and adults from professional chess teachers and top UK players
- A giant chess set for people to play on
- Chess tables for children and chess fans to play each other
- Challenge a Grandmaster at speed chess
- Blindfold Chess exhibition
- Giant screens broadcasting online games between players in London, Liverpool, and New York
ChessFest hopes to leave a legacy for Liverpool as CSC will work with Liverpool City Council to encourage the installation of giant chess sets and concrete chess tables in more Liverpool parks to enable chess to be played all year round as in New York, Paris, Amsterdam, and other cities. The first chess tables in Liverpool were installed in Sefton Park earlier this month.
Donna Howitt, Place Strategy Director at Liverpool ONE, said: “We’re really excited about the return of ChessFest to Liverpool ONE, following the tremendous success of the previous editions. This year’s event is one of our main highlights of the summer, with Chavasse Park and Liverpool ONE playing hosts to a series of family-friendly events throughout the school holidays and beyond.”
For more information visit liverpool-one.com/event/chessfest
