https://www.chessandmates.com/festival-brussels-edition

Chess & Mates, Brussels (2026)

03/09/2026

Chess meets music at the Chess & Mates Festival! 🎶♟️

We’re delighted to welcome .music:violin & , who will perform live on cello and violin during the photo & signing session with the legendary Judit Polgar. ✨

A beautiful musical atmosphere for a very special moment of the festival: meet Judit, get your photo or autograph, and enjoy the sounds of EleDuet while you wait. ❤️♟️🎻

02/09/2026

CHALLENGER #9: MEET DIKKE SVEKKE! 🇧🇪

Some challengers come from the chess world. Others bring a whole community with them. 😄

Meet Dikke Svekke, one of the most recognisable content creators in Flanders. Known for his Just Chatting streams, major event streams, and his unmistakable mix of storytelling, humour and entertainment, he has built a strong and loyal audience on Twitch , where he also holds Twitch Partner status. 🔥

For Sven Naudts, content creation is all about creativity, personality and bringing people together.

🏆 Nominated 3 times for the Vlaamse Online Content Awards (de De Jamies )
🎙️ Host of Dikke Svekke’s Geeky Podcast
🎧 Former host of the eSports podcast Kayzr Talks
🎪 Organiser of events such as Comic Con Brussels

As one of the most watched streamers in Flanders, Dikke Svekke has built a unique place in the online world by constantly finding new ways to blend his creative background into his streams, shows and live events.

With an audience made up largely of Gen Z and millennials, he knows exactly how to entertain, engage and connect with people through his own unique energy and style. ❤️

And on 5 September, he’ll step into a very different kind of live event… 😏♟️

At the Royal Library of Belgium in Brussels, Dikke Svekke will be one of only 20 challengers taking on Judit Polgar , the greatest female chess player in history, during the grand finale of the Chess & Mates Festival. 👑

From streaming and podcasts to a seat across the board from Judit Polgár, now that’s a challenge. 😄

Who’s next? 👀

01/09/2026

CHALLENGER #8: MEET ENDER! 🇧🇪

From podcasts and content creation to… taking on the Queen of Chess. 😅👑

Meet Ender Scholtens one of the most recognisable content creators in the Flemish online media scene. Ender started creating videos while still a student, later became a presenter at TAGMAG, and built his own podcast into a major Flemish online format. Today, he continues creating through VeryNice and his own production company.

But chess actually came long before all of that.

♟️ Learned to play as a child thanks to his father
👨‍👦 Used to play regularly with his dad and brother
🎥 Content creator, podcaster & entrepreneur
🔥 Recently rediscovered his love for chess
🧠 Loves it because, in his words, few games are quite as challenging

After years away from the board, Ender has recently started playing actively again. And since he says he enjoys a challenge… we thought we’d give him a pretty serious one. 😏

On 5 September, Ender will be one of only 20 challengers taking on Judit Polgar, the greatest female chess player in history, during the grand finale of the Chess & Mates Festival at KBR (Royal Library of Belgium) in Brussels. 👑♟️

Who’s next? 👀

01/09/2026

CHALLENGER #7: MEET LUKAS! 🇧🇪

Some challengers you invite. Others are already in the building. 😄

Meet Lukas Dewijngaert , the software developer behind the screens at Chess & Mates. If you’ve booked a spot, checked the pairings, or scrolled through our festival website… chances are, that was his work.

But Lukas doesn’t only build the platform, he plays too. ♟️
He recently crossed 2000 ELO on chess.com, and shares his games, blunders and hard-earned wins with his chess community on TikTok. 📱

With ChessTenders , Lukas now helps other players climb the same ladder he worked so hard to reach.

And on 5 September, he will swap his keyboard for a chessboard and take on Judit Polgar, the greatest female chess player in history, at KBR (Royal Library of Belgium) in Brussels. 👑

Who’s next? 👀

01/09/2026

FIONA IS BACK! ♟️✨

We’re incredibly happy, and truly honoured to welcome back to the Chess & Mates Festival! 🙌

As one of the most respected hosts and interviewers on the international chess scene, Fiona has been at the heart of some of the biggest chess events around the world. This September, she will once again bring that experience, energy and professionalism to Brussels. 🌍♟️

She will host all the special events around .polgar.official the Queen of Chess 👑

🎓 Judit Polgar’s Masterclass
♟️ The Simultaneous Exhibition
🎤 Interviews with Judit’s challengers before the simul
📸 The Signing & Photo Session

From introducing Judit on stage to speaking with the challengers as they take on one of the greatest players in chess history, Fiona will guide us through some of the most memorable moments of the festival.

We couldn’t imagine a better host for this very special day.

Welcome back, Fiona! ❤️♟️

31/08/2026

CHALLENGER #1: MEET BART DE WEVER! ♟️🇧🇪

A month ago, he announced in a video that he would take on Judit Polgar if his agenda allowed it.
Now it is time to officially present our Challenger #1: Bart De Wever , Prime Minister of Belgium.

On 5 September, he is set to be one of only 20 challengers facing Judit Polgár, the greatest female chess player in history, during the grand finale of the Chess & Mates Festival.

At the KBR (Royal Library of Belgium) in Brussels, Bart De Wever will sit across the board from Judit Polgár alongside tournament winners, invited challengers and special guests for what promises to be one of the highlights of the festival.

Maximus Textoris Pulcher has been handling the Prime Minister’s final preparation… although we’re told he still refuses to reveal his opening repertoire 👀🐈

From the Prime Minister of Belgium to young chess talents, the simultaneous exhibition perfectly reflects what Chess & Mates is all about: bringing different generations and backgrounds together around the chessboard. ❤️

Who will be the next challenger to join the line-up? 👀

The prime minster’s participation remains subject to unforeseen political developments at the last moment.

31/08/2026

🎨 ART & CHESS: MANON RAMAN RETURNS ♟️

Some people have been part of the Chess & Mates story from the very beginning. ❤️

At our very first festival in Ghent, artist Manon Raman was already there, capturing the spirit of chess through her art.

Now, she’s back for our 4th edition and this time with a very special challenge: creating a portrait of the legendary Judit Polgar live at the festival. 👑♟️

Chess meets art.
Two worlds of creativity coming together. ✨

We can’t wait to see Judit through Manon’s eyes.
See you September 5th in Brussels !

30/08/2026

Who will win? ♟️🔥
vs .polgar.official

30/08/2026

CHALLENGER #6: MEET DJEYLANI! ♟️🇫🇷 🇸🇳

Djeylani’s story with chess started when he was only five years old, after François, a family friend, introduced him to the game. It didn’t take long for his competitive side to kick in… and chess quickly became part of his life. ❤️♟️

Over the years, that childhood curiosity grew into a real passion, one that would eventually lead to much more than just playing games.

Years later, Djey met Cédric Comhaire and after countless late nights spent “pushing pawns,” the two friends decided to organise their first chess tournament together with Gary Neveu in front of his store Walk in Paris

One tournament became two, then three… and the Walk Chess Tour kept growing, bringing together more players, spectators and chess lovers with every edition.

For him, chess is above all about friendship, memories and bringing people together.

At the Royal Library of Belgium, Djeylani will be one of only 20 challengers taking on Judit Polgar during the grand finale of the Chess & Mates Festival.

From childhood games to organising tournaments with friends, that is what chess can become: a passion, a community and a lifetime of memories. ❤️

Who will take the next seat? 👀

29/08/2026

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? 👀

Chess & Mates

03/09/2026

02/09/2026

01/09/2026

01/09/2026

01/09/2026

31/08/2026

31/08/2026

30/08/2026

30/08/2026

29/08/2026

Adres

Website

Meldingen

Snelkoppelingen

Delen

Type

Verzoek om vermelding te verwijderen