From Passion to Progress: Female Players Embrace the Game at ChessFest

The UK’s largest chess event ChessFest was held on 7th July 2024 at Trafalgar Square in London. How did the female chess players in the crowd passionately embrace the game?

Actors reenact famous chess games at ChessFest 2024 in Trafalgar Square. Photo by Andrew Moss, courtesy of ChessFest.

The sky was overcast, but the energy at Trafalgar Square was anything but dull. Although there was a heavy downpour in the afternoon, chess boards were set up again afterward as families, tourists, and chess enthusiast gathered for ChessFest.

Michelle sat on the steps with her Border Collie by her side, patiently waiting for her daughter Meggie, who joined in the games. Between rounds, Meggie would rush back to share stories of her matches, eager to tell her mother about each new opponent she faced in the festival’s lively atmosphere.

“We know the ChessFest from our friends, as we have a few families where all the kids are very keen on chess. We’ve heard that there are many chess masters, and we got information from them,” Michelle says. “She is really passionate about chess and plays every day during the whole summer holiday at the chess club.”

Meggie and her mother Michelle, along with their Border Collie, relaxing at home. (Credit: Michelle Song)

In another area of square, top chess players like Women FIDE Master Akshaya Kalaiyalahan were among those taking part in the event. Crowds gathered around the “Challenge the Chess Master” tent, keen to pit their skills against the best.

A record 23,300 visitors turn out to celebrate their love for chess, despite the cloudy skies overhead. Children excitedly played giant chess, while others challenged one another at tables scattered throughout the square.

On the living chess board, 32 actors dressed as characters from Alice Through the Looking Glass recreated famous chess games. In the whimsical battle between the eight flamingos of the white pieces and the eight hedgehogs of the red pieces, the honors were even, with each team securing one win.

As the festival continued, chess masters wearing marked uniforms took turns facing challengers in a thrilling round-robin format. Just as Akshaya was preparing to take a break, an opportunity arose to approach her for a quick chat.

Participants at ChessFest pose in themed costumes outside the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square. Photo by Andrew Moss, courtesy of ChessFest.

With a bright, confident smile, Akshaya—who was about to turn 23 at the end of August—was happy to share how persistence and the strong support system around her have played key roles in shaping her success in chess community.

Despite her demanding career as a newly graduated trainee solicitor from Oxford University, Akshaya has always found a way to balance her passion for chess. Originally from Sri Lanka but raised in the UK, her love for the game began early and never wavered.

At just 11 years old, she became the British Women’s Championship. From the young age, Akshaya was a key player for the England Women’s team, representing her country in the prestigious Chess Olympiads multiple times. Along the way, she also claimed a bronze medal in the European Under-18 Girls’ Championships.

Her journey began at 8 years old in her school’s lunchtime chess club. “There was a chess club at school, and it was just something I went to during lunch,” she recalled. What started as a casual activity soon became much more.

After participating in the UK Chess Challenge, Akshaya’s interest in the game deepened. From there, she began playing in tournaments, and her connection to chess grew stronger with each match.

Her parents were fully supportive when they realized her passion for chess. “They were really happy that I was putting my energy into something productive, instead of watching TV,” Akshaya says. “But it’s a lot of commitment, especially when I started playing chess, and it wasn’t massively popular, there wasn’t much support or funding, right? That must be changed.”

Akshaya’s parents invested significantly in her chess journey. “They wanted to make sure that I was able to be as good as possible, because I was really interested in playing competitively. They took me to tournaments, paid for coaching—it was a big investment in family as well.”

Akshaya Kalaiyalahan, Women FIDE Master, at ChessFest 2024.

She also emphasized how much her parents sacrificed to help her succeed. “I remember my mom for a few years wasn’t working, and she was just taking me to tournaments,” she says. The travelling, along with the coaching and practice sessions, required a lot of effort.

But her parents were always there to help her prepare, both mentally and practically. “It’s not like psychological support as well, it’s not easy. It’s just such a mental game, and it’s very important to have a good support system behind you as well,” Akshaya explains, “so in a lot of ways, especially when I was a young girl, parents taught me a lot.”

Interestingly, neither of her parents played chess. “I think a lot of people now, their parents are interested in chess, and the kids go into chess, but that wasn’t really the case,” she says, “I was the one who was interested, but they supported me fully.”

For Akshaya, her parents’ dedication was instrumental for her success. Their willingness to invest in her chess journey was a key factor in her early improvement. Their support provided the foundation she needed to develop her skills, allowing her to compete at higher levels and evolve as a player over time.

Parental support is a common theme among many young female chess players. Michelle, an interior designer based in London, patiently accompanied her 11-year-old daughter Meggie at ChessFest. One and a half years ago, Meggie became very interested in chess, though she had started learning a few years earlier just for fun—she didn’t really know the rules or strategy at the time.

Reflecting on what motivated her fully support her daughter’s growing passion, Michelle shared thoughtfully, “Every time she asked us to support her, it felt different than with other activities, like instrument.” She also recognized the broader benefit of the game. “It’s helpful for creativity and logic.”

Meggie’s interest in chess has been the keep driver behind her rapid progress. Since she fully embraced the game, Meggie has played almost every day. It’s this consistent practice, coupled with her enthusiasm, that has helped her advance quickly.

A collection of chess trophies and medals won by 11-year-old Meggie. (Credit: Michelle Song)

She joined Wallace Chess Club in London, where she found a community of like-minded players. “For three weeks, I went to the elite summer camp, so I could play with others at my level,” Meggie explains, “then we just play chess like tournaments.”

For Meggie, the appeal of chess goes beyond the typical board game. “I guess I’ve always been interested in video games, and when I found chess, it felt like an educational video game,” she says. The strategic elements of chess captivated her, especially the idea of a battle between black and white.

“I think chess is like a kind of war where you have to protect the king and queen. I just find it really fun, and it’s all about logic—you have to think ahead,” Meggie says.

Powerful role models have also fueled Meggie’s passion for chess, beyond her love for the game itself. “I did watch the Netflix series The Queen’s Gambit, and that was one of the main key factors that motivated me,” she says. “That was what kept me going. I was very powered by her—the best master was a female, and I think I want to be like that.”

In 2020, as the world grappled with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Queen’s Gambit premiered on Netflix at the pivotal moment. Chess as a game that could easily be played online, soared in global popularity.

Beth Harmon (played by Anya Taylor-Joy) in The Queen’s Gambit—a Netflix series that has inspired a new generation of chess players.

But it wasn’t just the game itself that captured attention—the protagonist, Beth Harmon, a woman who overcame numerous obstacles to become a world champion, became a beacon of inspiration for many, especially young girls. Beth’s journey encourages girls like Meggie to believe that they too could excel in a traditionally male-dominated arena.

Akshaya also has noticed the profound influence that role models have on young girls entering the chess community. “I love meeting with the girls as well,” she says. “It’s important to have a mental effect—exactly like what ChessFest provides—where they attend and get inspired by the younger generation.”

Currently, one of the brightest stars in the British chess community is 9-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan, who captivated attendees at ChessFest by playing with enthusiasts. Akshaya first played against Bodhana when she was just six years old, and afterward, she spoke with Bodhana’s parents, saying, “She is an amazing talent, she was really, really good.”  

Now, Bodhana is considered one of the best players England has ever seen. By showcasing her skills and playing against enthusiast, her presense demonstrates how young talents can not only thrive but also motivate others to pursue the game.

The young chess prodigy plays against enthusiasts, despite the rainy weather. Photo by Andrew Moss, courtesy of ChessFest.

For Emma, another Women FIDE Master currently studying in the UK, her passion for chess was sparked at a young age by a book her mother gave her—How I Became a Grandmaster at Age 14 by Alexandra Kosteniuk, the former Women’s World Chess Champion.

She regarded Alexandra as a formidable champion and often tried to emulate her and other masters’ play style during her matches. The book also nurtured her deep interest in chess, fueling her dedication to the game.

However, while passion for chess runs deep among many female players, the challenges of pursuing it as a career can be daunting. Akshaya, for instance, points out that one reason she didn’t pursue chess as her primary career path was the limited prize money. “It wasn’t very great,” she says, “and it’s difficult to actually earn a good living from it.”

The financial challenges, combined with the gender disparity in professional chess, shaped her decision to pursue a career as a solicitor, while still keeping chess an important part of her life.

Akshaya believes the issue lies in the numbers. “Because of the numbers, there is less opportunity to identify female talent,” she says, “many girls stop up earlier because it’s difficult. Sometimes I think we don’t have a lot of female friends in these tournaments, so if we get more women playing in chess, then hopefully that will change.”

Meggie has experienced this firsthand. “When I went to the club for the first few weeks, I was the only girl there,” she shares. “But when I went to another club, I was still the only girl. The last chess club had three girls, so it was improving, I guess.” Meggie remains hopeful, noting that she sees more Female Grandmasters on YouTube, which motivates her to keep pushing forward.

Meggie practices her chess moves at home. (Credit: Michelle Song)

As part of a new generation of female chess players, both Akshaya and Meggie have become aware of the gender imbalance in the sport but maintain their confidence and stand firm in their own beliefs.

“I think it has something to do with the popularity, because more boys play chess. So automatically people say boys are better,” Meggie explains. However, she states that it’s not about gender but rather dedication. “It only relies on how much determination you have, how much you want that.”

Meggie confidently responds to the bias. “I will say you can think what you want, but the nature of who is talented at chess will never change, even if you have an opinion. Because girls and boys are equal in chess,” she says.

Akshaya shares a similar viewpoint to Meggie. She believes that the key factor behind her success in chess is her own ambition and dedication. “I was always willing to push myself and stay committed to the game,” she says.

She is passionate about encouraging the next generation of girls in chess. “It can be really difficult because sometimes you might be the only girl in tournaments. But we keep on playing—it’s such a rewarding sport,” she advises.

“We don’t have many chess boards in Sri Lanka,” Akshaya says, which inspired her to give back by teaching some kids and doing master class in her home country with her family. “I would say that’s probably the biggest contribution for me in terms of helping young chess players,” she adds.

She acknowledged that other commitments might pull them away at times, but emphasized, “Even if you stop for a few years, try to come back as much as possible and just keep playing—that’s the best advice I can give.”

Akshaya also encouraged girls not to limit themselves.  “If you like, you don’t have to only play in women’s tournaments.  You can play in open tournaments as well.  You should be competitive when you compete with men too.”

Click here to watch the video: Who are the Greatest Female Chess Players from all over the World?