The launch of the city’s first Play Chess Festival will take place at The Deep, 8:15am on Monday 2 August.
The opening will be performed by Councillor Rosemary Pantelakis, portfolio holder for culture at Hull City Council.. She will play the opening moves on a giant chess set within the Deep, against a backdrop of fish swimming in tanks. As a nod towards the film sensation, she will use the Queen’s Gambit. This will be followed by two of the Deep’s professional divers playing chess underwater.
Cllr Pantelakis said that she is delighted to open the chess festival: “I am very supportive of young people having the opportunity to learn chess. The Council is keen to back the exciting festival programme and the ambition to make Hull a chess city.”
Graham Chesters, President of the Hull and District Chess Association, explained: “After COVID restrictions, we want to give the people of Hull something a bit different. Chess is played by millions across the world. It’s a fabulous game, brings lots of educational and social benefits, and is cheap!”
The Play Chess Festival programme will last for three months and will take place at venues across the city in parks, squares, libraries, shops, markets, cafés and pubs. It is targeted at young and old, existing chess-players and those who want to learn. The simple aim is to get everybody playing chess.
Events will range from fun day stalls in park events to a chess sesh in Libraries to major national championships held in the City.
All this is being driven by the enthusiasm of local chess players for making the game accessible to local people and has been made possible by fantastic support from Hull City Council, VHEY, KCOM, The Deep, Absolutely Cultured, the Freedom Festival, Trinity Market, Hull Library Services, the English Chess Federation and the 4 Nations Chess League.
The Play Chess Festival Programme:
August
2nd August: Launch of Play Chess Festival – The Deep (by invitation only)
4th August: Large Play Day – Queen’s Gardens (11am – 3pm)
12th August: Chess Fun Day – Pearson Park (1 – 4pm)
14th August: Live Chess – Queen Victoria Square (11am – 2pm)
17th August: Chess Sesh – Hull Central Library (2 – 3:30pm)
18th August: Chess Sesh – East Park Library (10:30am – 12:00pm)
21st August: Family Day – Pearson Park (11am – 3pm)
24th August: 1st online Hull & East Riding 4NCL match – Premier Division
25th – 27th August: Junior Summer School at Hymers College
28th August: Chessfest at Trinity Square and Trinity Market (11am – 4pm)
September events still to be confirmed:
Chess Clubs: re-open, open evening for new members
Pop-up Venues: Cafés, Pubs, Parks, Whitefriargate
Hull Libraries: Open chess days and Chess Clubs in Community Libraries
Chess Shop window
Primary Schools: Exploratory visits in conjunction with KCOM
October
2nd-10th October: British Chess Championship, Royal Station Hotel
14th-17th October: British Women Chess Championship, Royal Station Hotel
20th– 22nd October: Junior Coaching Event, Royal Station Hotel
20th-24th October: Grandmaster Norm Event, Royal Station Hotel
22nd– 24th October: Hull 4NCL Congress, Royal Station Hotel