ChessFest Lancaster

ChessFest arrived in Lancaster for the first time on Monday with an event organised by CSC and supported by Lancaster City Council and the English Chess Federation’s Grassroots Fund. In the heart of the city, the Market Square played host to a full day of chess activities aimed at players of all ages and all standards.

Local experts, including FM Glenn House and Lancashire Junior Champion Max Fyson took on all-comers in simultaneous displays. Visitors also enjoyed playing games on a giant set in the midde of the square. Meanwhile, CSC tutors offered free chess lessons and coaching throughout the day. To round things off, the heavy metal band Pinsonic took to the stage to perform a set called Chess Rocks, a series of covers each with a chess link.

Even the steady rain couldn’t dampen spirits - all the visitors had a great time and the event generated a lot of new interest in chess which will support the charity’s work across Lancashire. Our huge thanks to Richard Walsh, Keerthi Angammana, and the whole Lancashire team for putting on such a great event.

Lancaster brings to an end ChessFest 2026 which has seen us also run events in Portishead, Liverpool, Hull, Coventry, Manchester Square Gardens in Westminster, and of course, Trafalgar Square. We look forward to the return of ChessFest in 2027!