Sahib Salehoqlu and Zak Gomn in the Street Legends Chess Cup final in Finsbury Park – organised by the Museum of Homelessness [All photos: Robin Yu]

MEMBERS of Finsbury Park’s homeless community faced up against international chess masters as they took to the board at an outdoor tournament.

Organised by the Museum of Homeless­ness, based in Seven Sisters Road, the “Street Legends Chess Cup” saw participants trade pawns and pin rooks as they competed for the top spot for two days last week.

Anybody who had previous or current experience of homelessness, housing instability or poverty was encouraged to apply, to “honour the history of chess hustling and homeless chess camps”.

Matt Turtle, the co-director of the MoH, said that the importance of chess in the homeless community couldn’t be understated. It has been “immortalised” in works of literature and film, such as The Grass Arena by John Healey, he said.

“Chess has two histories: there’s this historical association with really scientific, almost geeky types playing the game in traditional chess clubs,” Mr Turtle told the Tribune. “But there’s also the side you see being played in prisons, by hustlers in Washington Park, New York, and on the streets.

Alan Jones, museum volunteer, studies his moves

“We actually have a lot of people in our community near here that are keen chess players, and this tournament unearthed even more.”

The Museum of Home­lessness run a weekly chess club, where com­mun­ity members can stop by for a cup of coffee and a catch-up over the board.

They decided to use the growing momentum to organise an official tournament, and enjoyed a great turnout across both the team competition and solo cup. He added that the chess club had started as a “reference” to the history of the sport amongst institutionalised people, and the homeless.

There was even a surprise appearance at the tournament from International Grand Master Jack Rudd, and chess club “AlphaChess” facilitated a donation of 20 boards from the English Chess Federation.

When asked by the Tribune why there was such a strong connection to chess amongst the homeless community, Mr Turtle said: “Chess is such a strong social tool. To just play a game, have a chat and enjoy a cup of coffee, it’s a great way to facilitate hanging out and connecting with people.

“When we have chess in the garden there’s an energy and focus about it. It’s not exclusive at all, the pieces are tactile and its easy to learn, there’s such a diversity in its players and that allows for anybody to play it, anywhere and anytime.

Jack Rudd and Sahib

“There’s also a certain escapism people can have whilst playing it: people love the learning and competitiveness of it.”

LGBTQ+ chess club Yas Queen! took the top spot on the podium in the team tournament, whilst Sahib Salehoqlu was the king of the board in the singles after a nail-biting tie-breaker with Zak Gomn.

Robin Yu, from Alpha Chess, said: “The MoH event took an inclusive, innovative approach and I was keen to see if we could offer any type of support for something that was going to bring people together at a great space for a fun event.

“I wasn’t sure what to expect or how it might differ from the social chess nights we run but it was similar – there was music, laughter, chat and general good vibes. Chess is often portrayed as a solitary game but there’s a very social side and this event exemplified that.

“I loved being a part of the Legends of Street Chess experience and hope to be invited back when it next runs.”

Chess crews 999 Club Deptford and the Abolitionist Chess Club were also in attendance.

The MoH encourages anybody who has experi­enced marginalisation, housing insecurity or homelessness to attend their weekly chess sessions which take place in their garden on Fridays from 12.30pm to 4.30pm, and will continue until October.