Chavasse Park in Liverpool ONE is being transformed into a giant chess festival this summer as ChessFest makes a return for a fourth year.
Chess in Schools and Communities (CSC), a charity that employs chess to improve children’s social and educational development, is bringing the Sunday 21 July event to Liverpool ONE.
ChessFest, which will be held on the five-acre park, provides a day of free chess activities for all ages, including chess enthusiasts and experts as well as visitors who are interested in attempting a new hobby.
Visitors to Liverpool ONE will have the chance to receive chess lessons from professional teachers, ensuring that everyone from beginners to seasoned players can improve their skills. The event will also feature various chess formats to get involved with, including blindfold chess, speed chess, and giant chess.
Plus, local chess experts will also carry out displays, giving visitors the chance to watch the masters in action.
International Master Malcolm Pein, CEO and founder of organisers Chess in Schools and Communities (CSC), commented:
“ChessFest is a family-friendly free event designed for everyone, whether they play chess or would like to learn. We are grateful to Liverpool ONE for providing the perfect venue of Chavasse Park.
“Chess is hugely popular on Merseyside, and ChessFest continues the momentum from the chess activities around Eurovision.”
The world of chess continues to capture the public’s imagination, from the continuing popularity of Netflix show The Queen’s Gambit, to the viral image of football stars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo playing chess, to Liverpool’s own Mo Salah declaring his passion for the game!
ChessFest hopes to build on its legacy in Liverpool, following the installation of several chess tables in parks across the City Region, such as the one installed in Sefton Park in 2023.
CSC is also preparing for the annual chess tournament in St George’s Hall on 10 July, to which they expect to draw 400 children, reflecting the growing interest in chess among young people.
Donna Howitt, Place Strategy Director at Liverpool ONE, said:
“ChessFest is one of our summer highlights at Liverpool ONE, and Chavasse Park is the perfect place to enjoy the sunshine and take part in family-friendly activities.
“Events like this are key to nurturing our city’s young talent and creating community through friendly competition, games and education, so we’re really excited to bring the benefits of chess back to Liverpool, following up from the brilliant success of the last three years of ChessFest events.
“Whether you’re a novice or a grandmaster, there is something for everyone in this year’s event!”
To find out more about Liverpool ONE visit the website.
