ChessFest Re-enacts the Immortal Game
ChessFest returned to Trafalgar Square on Sunday 12th July for a true chess extravaganza. Many of the country’s top players were present to take on members of the public in simultaneous games or in our ever-popular Challenge the Chess Master blitz tent. Over 30 CSC tutors delivered chess lessons throughout the day, to players ranging from complete beginners to international standard. Visitors were also entertained by representatives from ChessKid, on giant sets, or simply by playing on one of 350 chess boards laid out across the square.
The highlight of the event was, as ever, our living chess set. Positioned in the centre of the square between the two fountains, our giant board forms the stage on which our fabulous actors, AlphaGal, re-enact famous games of chess watched by hundreds of enthralled visitors. This year, one of the games being performed was the Immortal Game, possibly the most famous game of chess ever, played between Anderssen and Kieseritzky in London 175 years ago. In a highly instructive attack, White sacrifices both rooks to gain a lead in development and follows this up with a stunning queen sacrifice to force checkmate.
This year, our living pieces were all performing as animals, while our amazing MC Owen arrived dressed as Sir David Attenborough, the famous broadcaster and naturalist who celebrated his 100th birthday this year. They danced their way through the crowds and onto the stage before taking up their squares on the board. On the second ranks, ducks lined up opposite hedgehogs, while behind them an orangutan faced off against a crocodile and two penguins waddled into their place opposite a couple of kangaroos. There followed the traditional warm-up dance-off, this year to the tune of the Can Can.
Levy Rozman, better known as the leading chess streamer GothamChess delivered a welcome message from our giant screen at the foot of Nelson’s Column, and then the game began. Owen directed the action on the board while Grandmaster Chris Ward gave expert commentary from the safety of a raised safari platform. Teeth were gnashed, feathers ruffled, and claws were bared as the fierce game unfolded. No square was safe when the unstoppable tortoise clashed with the immovable snail, or when the snake slithered into action against the hungry hippo. But the result was never in doubt as, just as happened in 1851, the white lizard sacrificed herself to force checkmate against the black kingfisher!
The performance was a great hit among the Trafalgar Square audience. Our huge thanks to our creative team for putting on such a spectacular show! ChessFest is organised by CSC and proudly supported by XTX Markets.
