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Cllr Stokes added: “Some people may remember
Chairman of the board…
The Park Knight Rises. Again.
Greystones Summer Chess Sessions return at Burnaby Park
previous post
Chairman of the board…
atest press release from our former buddy Cllr Stephen Stokes, issued on Wednesday, July 
1st 2026…
This free activity will take place every Saturday in August, from 10am – 12pm. Cllr Stokes stated: “Chess in the Burnaby Park has become a much loved annual tradition in Greystones. When myself and my mother Bernadette started the summer chess sessions in 2022, we did not expect that there would be so much demand for the game. Local chess has also been greatly boosted by the installation of additional chess tables by Wicklow County Council.”
According to Cllr Stephen Stokes, chess has undergone a renaissance in recent years. During Covid chess moved online seamlessly, and underwent a boom. This was boosted further by The Queen’s Gambit on Netflix, which was a big hit for the platform.
Bobby Fischer (USA) v Boris Spassky (USSR) for the World Championship in 1972, during the Cold War. The recent boom in chess probably rivals those golden days of the 1970s.” The organisers are hoping to once again attract new players to chess in the Burnaby Park. Cllr Stokes noted: 
“Chess is game for everyone. I have even lined out in Leinster league matches with teammates in their nineties. It’s a lifelong pursuit for all to enjoy. Last year we discovered a very talented young player who went straight in to the first team of the Bray-Greystones Chess Club. So we would also love to discover more talented players in the area, especially those that normally only play online.”
Seating for the Greystones chess sessions is limited. Anyone with a folding chair is encouraged to bring their own. All chess pieces will be supplied. The chess sessions are being organised by Bernadette Stokes and Cllr Stephen Stokes. Anyone seeking more information can email [email protected]. And you can check out August 2024 photos here.