WHAT IS THE HATTON GARDEN CHESS FESTIVAL?

A new chess event format bringing chess into the 21st Century:

  • Combines match play with coaching:
  • Gender-balanced teams
  • Central location
  • Comfortable and spacious

  • am: play a match
  • pm: coaching in small groups going over the games

CHESS COACHING

We have come up with the idea of giving players the opportunity to get some time to reflect and get some proper coaching and analysis of their game right after having played it (there will be a lunch break first), hence the morning start and uncrowded schedule.

We also wanted to bring masters and "ordinary" players together. We want to invite strong players to come and coach and also play if they wish (coaches play for free, of course). So we are hiring coaches for this event (see below).

WE ARE HIRING CHESS COACHES NOW

If you would like to coach at this event, please click below to apply:

TIME CONTROL

1 hour plus 30 seconds per move

TEAM STRUCTURE

Matches will be in teams of 4 people and all teams must field at least 2 female players.

This event will try to bring more diversity into chess events, especially more women. It is our impression that the lack of gender balance in chess events has got even worse in recent years. A recent survey we ran showed overwhelming agreement and gave us some insight into why this is the case. So we are going to try to change it!

WHAT IF I CAN'T GET A WHOLE TEAM TOGETHER?

If you think you might find it difficult to put a gender-balanced team together. My advice is this: don't worry, put together a partial team and we'll help you complete it. For example, you can put yourself forward as a captain and we will help build your team. We will soon be putting up team lists, so everyone can see team "vacancies".

TEAM EVENT, ONE MATCH

This will be the first of 5 meetups this season, but as it's new and experimental, this is not a full league programme. We are running with a "Flexi-League" format - teams can be formed and join at any point through the season. We will be aiming to pair teams up of similar strength.