Stockholm is staging a two-day Chess Party on April 17–18, drawing more than 7,000 participants and prominent figures from the chess world, among them Magnus Carlsen, Judit Polgár, Pia and Anna Cramling, Levy Rozman, and Andrea Botez.
Highlights of the Chess Party
The opening day centered on a bid to set a new mark for the largest chess lecture. Led by Judit Polgár, Andrea Botez, and Jesper Hall on the Kings & Queens Stage, the session brought thousands together for live puzzle-solving and interactive instruction, aiming both to surpass the existing record and to showcase chess’s educational and social impact.
Activity filled the venue throughout the day. Swedish grandmaster Nils Grandelius faced 12 opponents at once in a clock simul, while Pia and Anna Cramling hosted additional simultaneous exhibitions, giving players of different levels a chance to test themselves.
Competition played a major role in the program. Two senior events for 50+ and 65+ competitors ran side by side, underscoring the game’s inclusivity. Newcomers had their own pathway into organized play with a Friday Beginner Tournament.
Among the special formats, trainer and author Axel Smith drew strong interest with a blindfold simul, taking on multiple opponents without sight of the board. Educational sessions were also in focus, including a lecture on chess classics by Alexei Shirov and a masterclass led by Norway’s first grandmaster, Simen Agdestein.
Young attendees gravitated to a meet-and-greet with Andrea Botez and Anna Cramling on the Kings & Queens Stage, while a guest appearance by IJustWantToBeCool added to the lively atmosphere. The day concluded with a fast-paced Friday Night Blitz event.
Organizers also held an awards ceremony for a youth competition that began on April 16. The initiative involved 25,000 schoolchildren from 1,000 classes, with finals on April 17 and prizes presented to the top performers—an indication of the growing enthusiasm for chess in schools.