GM Masterclass & Simultaneous Exhibition with Boris Chatalbashev

On Sunday 23rd February, Dartford Junior Chess Club hosted a special event — a masterclass from Grandmaster Boris Chatalbashev followed by a simultaneous exhibition against our junior members.

The Masterclass

Boris opened the afternoon with an engaging masterclass covering key ideas in middlegame play. Using examples from his own games — including positions from his four Bulgarian Championship victories — he demonstrated how strong players think through critical moments and calculate variations under pressure.

The juniors were fully engaged, asking questions and suggesting moves as Boris walked through each position. His ability to explain complex ideas in a way that resonates with young players was evident throughout.

The Simultaneous Exhibition

After the masterclass, Boris took on all comers in a simultaneous display. Walking from board to board, he played against our junior members simultaneously — giving each of them the rare experience of facing a Grandmaster in a serious game.

The atmosphere was electric. Players who normally face each other across the board were now united in trying to find ways to challenge one of Europe's strongest players. Some put up fierce resistance, and a few even managed to create real problems on their boards.

A Day to Remember

Events like this are what make chess special. For many of our juniors, it was their first time playing against a titled player — let alone a Grandmaster with a peak rating of 2613. The experience of seeing how a GM approaches positions, handles pressure, and maintains concentration across multiple games is invaluable.

A huge thank you to Boris for giving his time and making the event so enjoyable. We look forward to welcoming him back for more events in the future.

Interested in our upcoming events? Keep an eye on the calendar or get in touch.