2023

A Free Chess Festival Taking Place at Trafalgar Square
ChessFest returns to Trafalgar Square, London on Sunday 16th July, bigger and better than before.

Running from 11am to 6pm, ChessFest is the UK's largest chess event and is aimed at anyone who loves chess or wants to learn to play the game, and it's completely free of charge!

We will once again have a living chess set - with 32 professional actors taking on the role of the chess pieces - they will be doing a number of performances throughout the day, including recreations of some of the best games played by our celebrity chess masters.

We are proud to announce that GM David Howell, GM Michael Adams, GM Gawain Jones, GM Stuart Conquest, GM Ravi Haria, IM Harriet Hunt and many other titled players will be joining us on the day and will be taking on members of the public in simultaneous displays and in our "Challenge the Chess Master" tent.

Events at Chessfest

• Free chess lessons for children and adults from professional chess teachers and top UK players

• Puzzle Rush Challenge with ChessKid's very own Funmaster Mike!

• 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 Grandmaster at speed chess

• Blindfold Chess exhibition

•  A truly giant screen (12 x 7m) broadcasting all the action from the square!