ChessFest: Trafalgar Square

Sunday, 16th July 2023
11:00am - 6:00pm

A Free Chess Festival Taking Place at Trafalgar Square

ChessFest returns to Trafalgar Square this July, bigger and better than before.

The UK’s largest one-day chess event is aimed at anyone who loves or wants to learn chess, and is completely free of charge.

We will once again have a living chess set - with 32 professional actors taking on the role of the chess pieces.

Events

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

  • 10 giant chess sets for people to play on

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

  • Challenge a Grandmaster at speed chess

  • Blindfold Chess exhibition

  • A truly giant screen (12 x 7m) broadcasting all the action from the square, as well as online games between players in London and our sister event in Liverpool


Volunteer at ChessFest

Chess in Schools and Communities are looking for volunteers to assist at ChessFest. Tasks include: Setting up in the square and packing up. Setting up chess sets, supervising play on the giant chess sets, matching members of the public to play, and even playing a few games against members of the public! Volunteers must be aged over 18.

We can offer travel expenses for those within the M25, lunch and refreshments, as well as a staff ChessFest t-shirt. If you would like to find out more, please contact us via our contact page or call 020 7935 3445 (office hours only).

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.

 

Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN