Chess & Mates

CHALLENGER #5: MEET RADOSŁAWA! 🎻♟️👑

What do chess and classical music have in common? More than you might think. ❤️

Meet Radosława, a concert cellist and lifelong chess player who has managed to combine two worlds built on concentration, discipline, creativity and performing under pressure.

Chess has been part of Radosława‘s life since childhood. Alongside her career on the concert stage, she continues to compete internationally, teach chess and travel the world through the game.

🏆 Belgian Women’s Champion 2025
🥉 Bronze medal at the Belgian Women’s Championship 2026
🎻 Professional concert cellist
♟️ International chess competitor & teacher
🌍 Representing Belgium at the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand this September

For Radosława, chess has also been a way to discover the world and build friendships that have lasted for many years. And she sees a special connection between her two passions: chess and music both require the ability to create, concentrate and stay calm when the pressure is on.

But before heading to Samarkand, another very special challenge awaits… 😍♟️

On 5 September, at the Royal Library of Belgium, Radosława will be one of only 20 challengers sitting across the board from Judit Polgár, the greatest female chess player of all time, during the grand finale of the Chess & Mates Festival. 👑

From the concert hall to the chessboard… now it’s time to face the Queen of Chess. 🎻♟️

Who will take the next seat? 👀

CHALLENGER #4: MEET NIUSHA! ♟️👑

Niusha is a passionate chess player, content creator, and community builder who has had chess in her life since a very young age. ❤️♟️

For Niusha, chess has become much more than just a game. Over the years, it has brought her unforgettable experiences, wonderful people, and a deep connection to a global community.

🏆 Runner-up at the Girls’ U2000 World Chess Championship
🥇 Junior national champion in her country for several years
🎥 Chess content creator Niusha Afshar
🌍 Loves meeting chess players from all around the world
🤝 Passionate about bringing the chess community closer together

Today, Niusha shares her love for the game by creating content, coaching players, and connecting people through chess.

And on 5 September, she will take on an even bigger challenge… the greatest female chess player of all time. 😍♟️

At the Royal Library of Belgium, Niusha will be one of only 20 challengers sitting across the board from Judit Polgar during the grand finale of the Chess & Mates Festival.

From young talents to national leaders, from content creators to chess lovers from around the world, that is exactly what chess is about: bringing people together through something we all love. ❤️

Who will take the next seat? 👀

CHALLENGER #3: MEET LOU !♟👑

🌟 Lou is 9 years old and plays chess mainly because she thinks it’s just super fun.

For 2 years now, she’s been a loyal member of chess club Rokade in Westerlo 🏰, and she even played a simultaneous match against Belgian champion Daniel Dardha! 😲

And it doesn’t stop there... On September 5th, Lou gets to take on grandmaster Judit Polgar! How cool is that?!

At the Chess & Mates festival, Lou is especially looking forward to making new chess friends 🤝😄

Go get ‘em, Lou! We’re rooting for you! 🙌🔥

CHALLENGER #2: MEET OLIVIA! 👑♟️

After announcing Belgian Prime Minister as our first challenger, it’s time to reveal who will take Board #2 against the Queen of Chess, Judit Polgár.

Meet Olivia Tate, only 9 years old and already completely hooked on chess. ❤️♟️

🇬🇧 Member of the UK Junior Chess Academy
🧩 Most afternoons: chess puzzles
👨‍👧 Favourite opponent: Dad
🏊 And when she isn’t playing chess, you’ll probably find her swimming!

This September, as she gets ready to start Year 5 at school, Olivia will take on a slightly tougher opponent… the greatest female chess player of all time. 😅

On 5 September at the Royal Library of Belgium, Olivia will be one of only 20 challengers sitting across the board from Judit Polgár in the grand finale of the Chess & Mates Festival.

From a 9-year-old chess enthusiast to the Prime Minister of Belgium, that is exactly what chess is about. Different generations, different backgrounds, one shared passion. ❤️

Who will take the next seat? 👀

Chess, fries & good company ♟️🍟

A pretty great way to do a Chess & Mates teambuilding!
We joined the opening of La Patate in Leuven, where the challenge was simple:

Beat us at chess = we buy you fries. 😏

Plenty of games, plenty of fries and, most importantly, a lot of fun with the team and Average Rob .

Thanks for having us La Patate !
Definitely not your average teambuilding. 🇧🇪♟️

♟️ THE FULL CHESS & MATES FESTIVAL SCHEDULE IS OUT!🔥

📅 Saturday, 5 September 2026
📍 KBR – Royal Library of Belgium, Brussels

This year’s programme is packed:

☀️ MORNING — PLAY & LEARN
♟️ Rapid & U12 Kids Tournaments
🎓 Ivan Sokolov Masterclass — “Playing the Legends”

🔥 AFTERNOON — MEET, EXPERIENCE & COMPETE
🥂 Exclusive Experience Lunch
📸 Photo & Signing with Judit Polgár
♟️ Simultaneous exhibitions with Daniel Dardha & Ivan Sokolov
👑 Judit Polgár Masterclass & Q&A — “From Curiosity to Checkmate”
⚡ Open Blitz Tournament

🌙 EVENING — THE GRAND FINALE
👑 20 challengers. 20 boards. One Queen of Chess.
Judit Polgár takes on 20 opponents simultaneously, including the Prime Minister of Belgium (if his agenda allows it).

Whether you want to play, learn, meet the legends or simply experience the atmosphere, there’s a place for you at Chess & Mates.

🎟️ Different tickets give access to different activities.
Check the full schedule above and choose your experience.