ChessFest returns in July 2025

ChessFest is CSC’s annual celebration of the game of chess, taking place in various locations around the UK each July. In 2025, the festival begins with two days of school events held in Manchester Square Gardens, Westminster. CSC pupils from around the country will be visiting to receive outdoor lessons from our tutors, get the chance to take on a grandmaster in a simultaneous display, and compete in a tournament against their peers.

The action then moves onto events that are open to the general public. Our flagship event will take place in London’s iconic Trafalgar Square on Sunday 13th July. Visitors will be able to watch our living chess pieces re-enact famous games of chess on a giant board, receive lessons from our excellent CSC tutors, challenge a chess master to a game of blitz chess, take on some Grandmasters in a simultaneous display, play chess on giant sets, or simply find an opponent for a casual game. All the activities are open to anyone, young or old, beginner or expert, and completely free.

ChessFest doesn’t just take place in London. We’ve already confirmed events in Liverpool on Sunday 20th July and Hull on Sunday 13th July, and we expect to announce further locations soon.