Serious Chess, Great Food, Free Coaching

Our next Muswell Hill Congress takes place on Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8 April at the Clissold Arms, 105 Fortis Green, N2 9HR, and you are very warmly invited to take part. This is a compact, two‑day, four‑round FIDE‑rated standard play event, designed to give you serious, meaningful games in a friendly venue with good food and easy transport.

Play one day or both

You can choose the schedule that suits you best:

• Play one day only (either Tuesday 7 or Wednesday 8 April) for £30

• Or play both days for £50 and be in the running for prizes

Rounds are played at sensible times with two games each day, so you get proper thinking time without late nights. Whether you are a busy club player wanting a single testing day, or you’d like a full two‑day congress experience, we’ve tried to keep things as flexible as possible.

Prizes - 1st £200, 2nd £100, 3rd £50 plus a rating prize based on 20 players

Rounds at 10.30am and 2pm. Scoresheets and pens supplied by Chesspick!

Sign up at this website - https://bit.ly/muswellhillfidechess

20% food discount at the Clissold Arms

One of the nicest things about Muswell Hill events is the partnership with our hosts at the Clissold Arms. During the congress you will be able to enjoy a 20% discount on food from the main menu, so you can refuel properly between rounds without leaving the venue. Good quality food, plenty of space, and a relaxed atmosphere all help make this feel more like a chess day out than just another tournament.

Free coaching and analysis with NM Arya Cont (ChessPick)

For this congress we have something special lined up: free coaching and game analysis from NM Arya Cont, founder of the live coaching platform ChessPick. Arya will be based in a separate room at the venue and will be available throughout the day to go through games with both juniors and adults, answer questions, and share practical improvement ideas.

Simply bring your score sheet after your game and sit down with Arya for a review. Whether you want help converting an attack, defending a bad position, or understanding a critical opening idea, this is a chance to get titled‑level feedback at no extra cost.

Parents very welcome

If you are bringing juniors, you need to stay on site. While your children are playing or working with Arya, you can relax. We are always happy to explain how the event works, discuss future tournaments, or talk about ways to support your child’s chess in a friendly environment.

The Clissold Arms is comfortable and welcoming, with plenty of space to sit in the restaurant, have a coffee, and you can visit The Kinks Room if you love music from the 1960s without disturbing the players. It’s a good way to spend the day even if you are not playing yourself.

Free ChessPick trial lessons for this event

To make the most of Arya’s visit, I’ll also be giving out free trial lessons on ChessPick for players who sign up using my event link during the congress. If you’ve been thinking about trying online coaching but haven’t quite taken the plunge, this is a low‑risk way to see how structured one‑to‑one sessions can help.

ChessPick is built to connect students with verified, titled coaches in a simple, organised way, and a trial lesson after the congress is a natural follow‑up to the on‑site analysis you’ll receive at the Clissold Arms.

How to enter

You can find full details and register online via the usual Muswell Hill FIDE chess entry form; places are limited. If you are free on 7–8 April and would like a couple of high‑quality FIDE‑rated games each day, with good food, coaching, and a friendly atmosphere, I’d love to see you there.

Adam Raoof (FIDE International Organiser and Arbiter)