TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – The Tallahassee Chess Fest is bringing plenty of fun to the Challenger Learning Center this weekend, welcoming players, families, and chess fans of all ages.<\/p>\n
Event Co-Organizer William Wu said it was a big turnout.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a great experience, I mean, it brings a whole community together, not just people from Tallahassee, but also from the surrounding regions,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve had people from Alabama, from Georgia, and across Florida.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chess Fest 2026 is drawing a crowd in its second year at the Challenger Learning Center, featuring open play, interactive sessions, and opportunities to meet visiting grandmasters.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll sorts of people come here, and they can not only play chess but also learn it,\u201d Wu said. \u201cI mean, even if you\u2019re not proficient yet, there\u2019s so much you can do in the world, and everyone is very open in the chess community.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The main event, a grandmaster showdown between two internationally recognized players, gave attendees a rare, up-close look at the strategy behind each move.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the theater, they can put on these headphones, silent disco headphones, they can listen to the commentary that we\u2019re giving, and they can kind of hear our thoughts and what\u2019s going on in the game while watching it live,\u201d Wu explained.<\/p>\n
Organizers say \u201cgrandmaster\u201d is the highest title in chess, awarded by the International Chess Federation. One of those players, Julio Becerra, who earned his title in 1997, won Saturday\u2019s match.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo be here is really nice. I know the many players here in Tallahassee are actually really good. I have students over here, and they are improving every year,\u201d Becerra said. \u201cChess is going to help you with a lot of things in the future, to think differently.\u201d<\/p>\n
If you missed out on Friday or Saturday, Chess Fest continues Sunday with a quick tournament at 10 a.m. and a blitz tournament at 3:30 p.m. for registered players.<\/p>\n
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