Trafalgar Square, London

12pm-7pm, Sunday 12th July 2026

ChessFest returns to London’s iconic Trafalgar Square this July for a day of fun, family-friendly, free chess activities. Please join us and our 20,000 chess-loving guests for the UK’s largest chess event. From young to old, beginner to grandmaster, ChessFest has something for everyone:

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

  • Simultaneous displays against England internationals including British Champions Mickey Adams and Gawain Jones.

  • 10 giant chess sets for visitors to play on

  • 100s of chess tables for children and chess fans to play with each other

  • Challenge a Chess Master at speed chess with prizes for those who manage to get a result

  • 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 events around the country.

Once again, the highlight of the day will be several performances by our living chess set, 32 actors recreating famous games of chess with commentary from our MC, Owen, and Grandmaster Chris Ward. This year’s theme is wildlife. Will the kingfisher defeat the queen bee? What makes a more effective pawn, a butterfly or a hedgehog? Come along to Trafalgar Square to find out.

Now in its sixth year, ChessFest has grown to become the UK’s biggest chess event and will this year be celebrating a unique piece of the capital’s history: the 175th anniversary of the Immortal Game. In 1851, London was the capital of international chess when German master Adolf Anderssen entered its folklore by sensationally sacrificing his queen and both rooks to force checkmate. His brilliant winning manoeuvre went down in history as one of the most beautiful and instructive ever seen. One of the most famous games ever, it was likely played just a five-minute walk away from ChessFest at the newly-reopened home of chess, Simpson’s-in-the-Strand.

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ChessFest returns
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How to get to Trafalgar Square

By Tube
Charing Cross (on the Bakerloo and Northern lines) is the closest Tube station, with an entrance/exit on Trafalgar Square.

The following stations are within a few minutes walk:

  • Leicester Square (Northern and Piccadilly lines)

  • Piccadilly Circus (Bakerloo and Piccadilly lines)

  • Embankment (Bakerloo, Northern, District and Circle lines)

Plan your journey using Transport for London's Journey Planner.

By Bus
Visit the Transport for London bus maps page to access information on bus routes from Trafalgar Square

By Mainline Train
Charing Cross mainline rail station is about a three-minute walk from Trafalgar Square.