ChessFest Coventry

ChessFest arrived in Coventry for the first time on Saturday 25th July, in an event held at Broadgate in the heart of the city centre under the watchful gaze of Lady Godiva. Coventry is currently witnessing a great boom in chess activity, playing host to the 2026 British Chess Championships as well as a series of well-attended school events.

Coventry ChessFest featured a wide range of chess activities suitable for the whole family: free chess lessons delivery by local chess experts, tournaments for players of all standards, puzzle challenges with prizes, simultaneous displays against top West Midlands chess masters, a blindfold chess display, giant chess sets for visitors to play on, and many casual chess tables for children and chess fans to play against each other.

It was brilliant to see the range of attendees, from one-year-olds to octogenarians, from all backgrounds and walks of life - a reflection of the diversity represented by both Coventry and ChessFest!

Our huge thanks to our local organiser, Paul Lam, for all his hard work in arranging the event. ChessFest Coventry was organised with the support of Coventry City Council and in partnership with Coventry Chess Academy, whose members came together to make for a fantastic day out.