The 12th July saw the 5th staging of the Hull ChessFest. The event in Hull has always been held on the same day as the London Chessfest in Trafalgar Square and as such has strong links to the London ChessFest. Indeed historically in the past consultation games between the two cities have taken place on the day.
The Hull ChessFest has now over time started to develop its own identity with continued support from the London ChessFest. A regular event at the Hull ChessFest alongside the usual open public sessions and giant chess set games that take place is a local junior rapidplay tournament split into two sections (Challengers and Champions).
This tournament provides healthy junior prizes in both sections and aims to identify the Hull and East Riding Junior Rapid play Champion and Hull and East Riding Junior Rapid Play Challenger.
This year a local player (Stanly Mount) was the successful winner of the Champions section with a score of 4 ½ out of 5. (Alex Chan who was the pre tournament favourite due to his higher grade finished in second on 4 out of 5 followed by Ethan Wake in sole 3rd place on 3 ½ out of 5.
The Challenges Section was won by Edward Bernard with 5 out of 5 with James Speight in second on 4 out of 5. A further 4 players shared third place with 3 out of 5.
In addition to the success of the tournaments the ChessFest event itself attracted a number of new enquiries from the public in relation to what chess was available in the area.
The event would not be able to take place without the support of Princess Quay Shopping Centre, CSC , and the HERCA volunteers that gave their time for free on the day.
Below is an ariel shot of the public area from the top of Princess Quay Shopping Centre.
Chris Matthews
Regional Organiser CSC Hull and the East Riding.
