Portishead, Somerset

Saturday 11th July 2026

ChessFest returned to Portishead in July for a day of fun, family-friendly, free chess activities. Hundreds of chess-loving visitors joined us for a great day out. From young to old, beginner to grandmaster, ChessFest Portishead had something for everyone:

• Casual Chess. Visitors enjoyed a game of chess with brunch and coffee in this great restaurant on Portishead Marina.

• Elite Chess. Visitors challenged a master to a game of blitz chess and took part in a simultneous display against International Master Chris Beaumont.

• Kids Zone. Visitors received a chess lesson from one of many junior coaches and met ChessKid’s Maddie, who ran activities for children of all ages.

• Fancy dress. A competition with a chess theme, of course, won by Malachy who dressed up as a full chess set and board, complete with a clock on his head!

• Ark of Angels in Jubilee Park. Visitors watched a game of living chess on a giant board, which featured local adult and junior chess players as the pieces and pawns.

You can read more about the day here.

ChessFest Portishead is organised by Chess in Schools and Communities (CSC) and by Portishead Chess Club. For more details of the event, please contact CSC Regional Coordinator for Bristol, Jane Norton.