ChessFest 2025
A day of fun, free chess activities in Trafalgar Square
ChessFest 2025
A Free Chess Festival in Trafalgar Square
ChessFest returned to Trafalgar Square, London on Sunday 13th July 2025, bigger and better than ever before! Over 20,000 people visited us and enjoyed a wide range of fun, family-friendly, and free chess activities.
Many of the UK’s top chess players joined us for the day: England’s top player, Grandmaster Nikita Vitiugov, British Champions, Grandmasters Mickey Adams, Matthew Sadler, and Chris Ward, as well as British Women's’ Champion, International Master Harriet Hunt.
On our living chess board, 32 actors recreated famous games of chess with commentary from our MC, Owen, and Grandmaster Chris Ward. This year’s theme was the Wizard of Oz: the games featured a battle between the Flying Monkeys and the Muchkins, with cameo performances from the Tin Man, Scarecrow, Lion, and of course, the Wicked Witches.
Activities at Chessfest 2025
Free chess lessons for children and adults from professional chess teachers and top UK players
10 giant chess sets for people to play on
100s of chess tables for children and chess fans to play with each other
Challenge a Chess Master at speed chess
Blindfold Chess exhibition match
Giant speed chess display. Watch two masters battle it out in a test of speed and strength.
A truly giant screen (12 x 7m) broadcasting all the action from the square!
Live link-ups and challenge matches with ChessFest Hull
Other ChessFest events
Our flagship event in Trafalgar Square was just one of several ChessFest days taking place around the country in the summer of 2025. Others include:
ChessFest Portishead - Saturday 12th July
ChessFest Hull - Sunday 13th July
ChessFest Liverpool - Sunday 20th July
ChessFest will return to Trafalgar Square in Summer 2026
