Nottingham 2023

Chess players of all ages and abilities flocked to the first-ever Nottingham ChessFest on Saturday (July 15) with an estimated 500-plus people taking part in Trinity Square.

Nottinghamshire Chess Association (NCA) staged the event to raise the profile of chess, to encourage more people to play, and to celebrate its own centenary after 100 years of chess in the county.

Lead festival organiser Nick London, said: "Lots of keen children took part but we also had plenty of adults visiting, either as parents or because they were intrigued to try the game. And many shoppers and passers-by stopped to find out what it was all about – but ended up playing games for half the day."

International Master Andrew Martin hosted the event, providing running commentaries on challenge games which were projected onto a giant screen for all to see. He also played a series of simultaneous games against local challengers, winning most and drawing two of them.

Visitors could make use of giant chess sets, or get one-to-one coaching tips from chess tutors. There were also coaching sessions run for juniors from several Nottinghamshire schools.

Nick added: "The chess gods smiled on us on Saturday because we had good weather, while everywhere else suffered. It was great to see so many chess enthusiasts gather together for a fun and entertaining day, and it was a wonderful way to celebrate the first 100 years of organised chess in Nottinghamshire.  The whole enterprise was such a great success that we are already talking about doing it all again next year."

Barry Redburn, 73, of Syerston, a veteran member of Bingham and Radcliffe Chess Club, said: "It's delightful to see so many kids enjoying chess in the outdoors, and to have so many casual passers-by want to join in the fun. I hope we will see some of them coming along to our local chess clubs"