Bloomsbury boasts the first square in Britain to have purpose-built outdoor chess tables rivalling those of the world famous Washington Square Park in New York. The beautiful handmade granite chess tables are the result of an initiative by the Square’s Commissioners. The tables are free for all to use and chess sets are available to borrow* from Russell Square’s Caffè Tropea.

At an unveiling ceremony, International Chess Master and Captain of the England Open team Malcolm Pein, cut the ribbon before challenging Chair of Russell Square Commissioners Simon Elmer to make the first move of the first game.

The Commissioners hope that Russell Square will become a major centre for playing Chess in the open air, a sentiment endorsed by Pein and the wider Chess community.

*small refundable deposit required