On March 21 to March 23, The Guildhall in York will host to the 12th Chessmates International Competition – a international chess tournament that will see top junior players from across Europe fight it out for the title.
This is the first time that the tournament has ever been held in England with teams travelling from as far afield as Estonia and Iceland and a special team formed to represent players from Yorkshire.
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The home team includes players from across the county, including 17-year-old Aaron Rich from York – who has previously represented England.
In addition to the junior players, British Champion, chess grandmaster and former York junior, Gawain Jones, will take on local MP and former top school player, Rachael Maskell, on a giant chess board outside the Guildhall at noon on Friday March 21.
The event is supported by Chess in Schools and Community, a charity who offer weekly lessons in five York schools and will be providing the same at the Guildhall.
Chess sets will be available on Saturday March 22 for all to play in cafes around York’s St Helen’s Square, as well as to challenge some of the strongest players in England or receive tuition from the Chess in Schools & Communities charity.
Tournament Director, Ben Rich, says: “Chess has many proven educational and social benefits. It has really taken off across Yorkshire over the last few years with many schools setting up their own clubs and plenty of opportunities for young players to develop their skills.
“We hope that by hosting Chessmates International in York we will be able to further energise the Yorkshire chess scene and that everyone will take the opportunity to get involved whatever their skill level.”
Chessmates will be opened on Friday at 10am by the Lord Mayor and Grand Master Gawain Jones.
