100 Chess Champions Take on International Master in Hamleys Chess Championship

On 14th February, 100 gifted under 12 chess champions took on the International Master, Andrew Martin (10 at a time!), in Hamleys’ in-store Chess Championship, as part of the Hamleys Brain Gym.

Ten year old Morris Stranger was the only competing child to beat Andrew Martin. Previously Morris has beaten Simon Williams, another acclaimed international master. Morris, an active player for Barnet Nights Chess Club in North Finchley, is said to be “delighted” with this victory.

The Hamleys Chess Champions were hand-picked through the Primary Schools Chess Association and represent some of the brightest young chess minds in the UK.

International Master, Andrew Martin, said: “The standard of players here at Hamleys was extremely high! I certainly feel like a well deserved rest after playing more than 100 truly challenging games. This has been a fun and exciting event. Brain Gym is certainly right! Chess is a brilliant way to exercise the mind.”

Andrew Martin is an International Master, with many tournament successes to his name, including being runner-up in the British Championship. He is a renowned chess trainer and teaches in many schools, has coached four world junior champions and several national junior champions. He also holds the Guinness World Record for the most simultaneous games played at one time (321 people!).

Hamleys Brain Gym guarantees to perplex and engage the keenest of minds throughout the half term period. This mind-boggling event offers kids and families the opportunity to challenge the masters in a series of games and puzzles taking place in Hamleys, Regent Street.