Chess: France and US dominate rapid and blitz at Pall Mall Masters
French Grandmaster Jules Moussard secured victories in both the Super Rapid and Blitz categories at the Pall Mall Masters in London. The event served as a rare high-level chess competition in the UK, drawing international talent following the Samarkand Olympiad.
Why it matters
Highlights the growing popularity of chess as a spectator sport and the importance of international tournaments in fostering cross-border competitive play.
French GM Jules Moussard won the Super Rapid and Blitz at the Pall Mall Masters. Photograph: Lennart Ootes/Fide French GM Jules Moussard won the Super Rapid and Blitz at the Pall Mall Masters. Photograph: Lennart Ootes/Fide Leonard Barden on chess Chess Chess: France and US dominate rapid and blitz at Pall Mall Masters The Chess England event was a rare test of UK skills against strong foreign opposition
Prefer the Guardian on Google Master chess in central London is rare, although the annual ChessFest in Trafalgar Square attracts more than 20,000 visitors.
In London’s clubland in Pall Mall, the RAC clubhouse has hosted the Oxford v Cambridge Varsity match for almost half a century, while the Athenaeum was the venue for a dramatic match in 2023 where the record-breaking prodigy Bodhana Sivanandan defeated the former British champion Peter Lee.
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