More than 15,000 people are expected to descend on London’s Trafalgar Square on Sunday, July 7, for ChessFest 2024, the UK’s biggest chess event.
The festival, now in its fourth year, will draw chess enthusiasts from across the country, including many of the country’s top grandmasters, for a day of fun suitable for every level of player. It is organised by the charity Chess in Schools and Communities (CSC) and will take place from 11am to 6pm.
This year’s star turn will be nine-year-old Harrow schoolgirl Bodhana Sivanandan, England’s first world youth champion in 25 years.
CSC can also reveal today the prodigy has been picked for England’s 2024 Chess Olympiad women’s team. When she competes in Budapest this September, we believe she will be the youngest sports star ever to play in a full England team.
Bodhana is the jewel in the crown of England’s new golden generation of talented British youngsters emerging on the world stage. The oldest of the cohort, 15-year-old Shreyas Royal, is on the brink of breaking the record to become England’s youngest-ever grandmaster. The world’s number-one under-9 player Ethan Pang and the fast-rising Supratit Banerjee, the world number-seven in the under-10 category, will also be there. All four are from London.
Bodhana said: “ChessFest is such a fun event, I had a great time last year. I’m so pleased to be picked for England, it’s a great honour and I’m looking forward to being part of a team.”
With the support of our main sponsor, XTX Markets, Westminster Council and the Mayor of London, ChessFest is expected to attract even more than last year’s 15,000 people, as the whole of the iconic square will be taken over for a day of free and fun family-friendly chess activities.
So why not come on down to Trafalgar Square – everyone is invited, no need to book – just turn up on Sunday 7th July for a full day of free chess fun! You’ll be able to:
- – Play friendly games of chess with anyone, whether you’re just starting out or are already a keen player
– Learn everything from the basics to checkmate in a free chess lesson with a professional tutor
– Take on one of England’s top Grandmasters in a simultaneous display
– Enjoy playing on giant chess sets
– Blitz your moves out in speed chess games in the “Challenge the Chess Master” tent
– Watch living chess with actors, replaying famous games of chess on our giant board
– Test yourself with Puzzle Rush, pitting your wits against fiendish chess puzzles on ChessKid.com
Everything you need to know about ChessFest 2024 is at: https://chess-fest.com
