Chess Fest 2025
The Tate Etienne and Prevost (TEP) Center
5909 St. Claude Ave.
Free admission, registration required
Chess lovers of all ages are invited to the fourth annual Chess Fest, presented by HNOC’s Chess Club! Each year, Chess Fest participants enjoy the opportunity to craft DIY chessboards, play chess puzzle games, move as “human chess pieces” on a giant chessboard, join a friendly fast-chess tournament, and more. Whether you’re already an experienced player or someone just curious about learning the fundamentals of the game, HNOC’s youth-led Chess Fest is the place to be!
Admission to Chess Fest is free, but registration is required.
Schedule of Activities
10 a.m.–2 p.m. | Family Activities
Join us for chess-themed arts and crafts and activities for attendees of all ages. Take a chess crash course for beginners, learn how to play Chinese chess with HNOC Visitor Services Assistant Winston Ho, or make your own chess board!
11–11:30 a.m. | Human Chess & Costume Contest
Step onto our life-sized human chessboard, where a full match will be played with 32 volunteers as chess pieces. This special match will see five-time Louisiana State Champion FIDE Master Nick Matta face off against reigning High School State Champion Austin Jinusa. Come prepared for the big game with our Best-Dressed Chess Costume Contest, for a chance to win prizes for wearing the most creative chess piece apparel!
12–1 p.m. | Chess History & Puzzle Competition
Join us for a mind-bending challenge blending chess strategy with New Orleans history! Participants will use HNOC’s interactive chess history map to test their knowledge by answering questions about local chess history while solving a series of chess puzzles. Points are earned through tactical skill and historical knowledge. How high can you score?
12–2 p.m. | Five-Round Fast Chess Tournament
Compete in a blitz style, five-round tournament directed by the Downriver Chess Club.
12:30–2 p.m. | Chess Fest Film Screenings
Enjoy screenings of short films accompanied by discussions moderated by Baylee Badawy, founder of the Chess Cave. Selections will include a series of short films about chess created by HNOC Chess Club members; Building Minds with Chess, a short film about International Grandmaster Pontus Carlsson’s 2018 visit to New Orleans in which he sought to connect the business community with youth chess players; and a series of oral history videos produced by Derek Bridges, director of Downriver Chess Club, that offer post-COVID reflections from voices within the local chess community.
Day-Of Parking
We ask that Chess Fest participants please park on St. Claude Avenue or streets adjacent to the TEP Center. Please do not use the small parking lot behind the building, which is reserved for TEP Center staff and residents.
Questions? Contact us at education@hnoc.org.
Support
Chess Fest is presented in partnership with Down River Chess and the Chess Cave.
About Chess Club
HNOC’s Chess Club blends the game of chess with creative activities and historical research. Members learn about the rich history of chess in New Orleans from the 19th century to the present day. This is a club for all ages!Anyone with basic knowledge of the rules of chess and chess notation can join.
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