Hay Festival: Timetable at World's Biggest Literary Festival Features Chess

Hello chess friends, here's a neat chess story from Wales Online. Last year a giant chess board at Hay featured not only Kings and Queens but a real life Duchess. Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, played chess with primary school children from Wales when she paid a visit to the annual literary festival. And chess is once again back on the timetable for this year's event.

Chess at Hay will be launched on the back of the successful 'Chess in Schools” programme which was set up in January this year at selected primary and secondary schools in Merthyr Tydfil. 

Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall plays chess with children from Hay on Wye primary school.

The chess programme will be held in the Scribbers Tent where the Merthyr-based Stephens and George Centenary Charitable Trust will play host to a chess extravaganza featuring children aged between six and 15-years-old and of varying abilities.

The children will be joined by Daily Telegraph chess correspondent and International Chess Master Malcolm Pein as well as the Chess in Schools and Communities Trainer Sarah Kett.

Vanessa Jones is head trustee of the charity that has spearheaded the Chess in Schools programme.

She said: "We're delighted to be at Hay again this year, this time with an opportunity to showcase the benefits associated with playing chess including problem-solving skills and also the ability to think strategically."

Louise Bibby, the head teacher of Gwaunfarren Primary School in Merthyr Tydfil said chess was having a positive impact on the children at her school.

She said: "It has been an absolute joy to observe the pupils making decisions with reasons and thinking strategically, while having fun.

"Behaviour has improved and we hope to develop this further as an after-school club, in order to involve more pupils."

For more details on Chess at Hay and chess in general contact Helen Hughes on 01685 388888 or email Helen.hughes@stephensandgeorge.co.uk

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