On Sunday 7th July we had the biggest chess event of the year. Brought together by the wonderful Malcolm Pein, Chief Executive of Chess in Schools and Communities and sponsored by XTX Markets. More than 14, 000 people visited the event with the theme of ‘Alice through the Looking Glass’

Chess Fest was huge. A gathering like no other. It’s a celebration of all things chess for everyone in London’s iconic Trafalgar Square. You can wander around at your own leisure or be enticed by the magic of chess.

Special events through the day

Throughout the day there were various chess events. There were free chess lessons from chess teachers and professional players in the ‘teaching zone’.

Visit the ‘social chess zone’ and you could be paired with a player of similar experience based on your self-rating. Timers on tables and friendly faces. For the brave, there was a ‘challenge the chess master zone’, I envied the adults and children in this queue!

You could also explore blindfold chess, giant chess or find one of the many chess tables scattered through Trafalgar Square.

It was a wonderful day out. Surrounded by London landmarks, the National Gallery, Big Ben in the skyline, Regent Street shopping, Picadilly Circus and only a short walk to Buckingham Palace. London on a sunny day is amazing. If you’re travelling with teenagers make sure to avoid the shops as this will affect your arrival time to Chess Fest!

What I haven’t told you is that the morning’s weather was a very different story from the photos above. So bad in fact that from my home in greater London I contemplated not going. 😯 Only for a second! But this awful thought did happen.

Great British weather

The photo below was taken by my friends from ChessPlus. A photo of pure dedication. The little boy is playing against a grandmaster as his sweet Dad shields him from the pouring rain.

A Universal game

The main message from the day was that chess if for everyone. Don’t worry if you just know the basics or if you know nothing at all. This is a game for all. Sit down across a chessboard and you will take something away. Maybe its kindness, friendship, smiles or friendly competition. Learning about a piece, opening or tactic. A rush of adrenaline or some crazy nerves. The list goes on…

The Chess Fest Vibe

People watching

I sat amongst tourists on the steps watching from above, hearing whispers of YouTubers and The Queen’s Gambit. There was name dropping of a famous actor, a footballer who plays chess and how it trains the mind.

As I spotted the grandmasters in bright orange t-shirts playing simuls my attention was diverted to the loud music and commotion on the main stage. The theatrical performance was about to begin once more!

The Living Chess Set

I’ve been to previous Chess Fests and the actors are brilliant. But this performance was the funniest. Pink pawn flamingoes versus eight brown hedgehogs! I laughed watching the dramatic bishop capture, landing on his bottom, legs in the air and side rolling off stage. He was some sort of stunt man surely.

The theatre show was over the top, pink and brilliant! 🦩

Young talent

Bodhana Sivanandan was also there. I saw her last year but missed her this time. At just 9 years old she’s now the youngest player to be on the England women’s team. She will play at the Chess Olympiad in LogiqBoard’s home city of Budapest this September. Exciting times ahead!

Chess in Schools

For more goings on and to see the long list of guest players that were there do check out: https://www.chess-fest.com/

You’ll discover that Chess Fest also took place this weekend in Liverpool and it was just as amazing. There are also days dedicated to schools only.

For example, after the Sunday London Chess Fest over 30 CSC schools were invited to London’s Manchester Square Gardens where the events were repeated for Chess in Schools students.

Thoughts for next year:

◾ Don’t let the British weather put you off!

◾Leave enough time for teenagers to shop beforehand or plan your route better!

◾Be brave, just play♟

◾I’m still not sure if I’ll volunteer (sorry Chess in Schools, terrible I know). I love floating around like some sort of chess fairy watching chess spells happening all over.

I’m also traumatised by years of facepainting at my primary school fetes. Have you seen a queue of mums wanting their children to be transformed into tigers, butterflies or super heroes? It’s hard for me to commit to public events.

Also how else would I capture little gems like this? Can you spot the real little queen as her parent holds her blue train and she glides through Trafalgar Square? A British queen right there.

Beyond the classroom

If I take away one thing from the day it’s that chess has power. It can build communities, bring people together from all backgrounds and make you feel happy.

Like sharing food or telling stories. A game can captivate and connect us effortlessly.

I realise that it’s time to just play and not only teach. I’ve confined myself to the classroom as a chess and games teacher but it’s time to go beyond a school setting.

Maybe you’ll see me social chessing by London’s River Thames or some crystal clear waters on my Greek island.

Think of me today. Schools here finally close and summer really begins. I feel like that bishop on the stage …

Happy holidays everyone 💝

Hari x