SU Chess Society
Meet the Organiser
From a single weekend congress to a week-long Chess Festival with Grandmasters and norm opportunities - the story of how it all came together.
Hello
Hooman Honarvarmahalati
Hooman is the organiser of the Sussex University Chess Congress - now grown into the full Sussex University Chess Festival, bringing together a rated Congress, the Masters norm tournament, a Blitz, an Arbiter's course, and the Junior Summer School in one week each July.
The Journey
From One Congress to a Festival
2024
1st Congress — The First Congress
The inaugural Sussex University Chess Congress takes place - a single weekend, ECF rated, and the start of everything that followed.
2025
2nd Congress — The Second Congress
The event returns for a second year, with entries growing and the field getting stronger as word spreads around the South East chess scene.
2025
3rd Congress — First IM Norm Event
The Congress adds an IM Norm Round Robin alongside the main weekend event, and the Summer School joins for the first time - competitive chess, education, and professional chess all under one roof.
2026
4th Congress — Weekend Congress Returns
The 4th Sussex University Weekend Congress runs in the spring including a charity event, continuing to grow the standard event ahead of the biggest step yet.
2026
5th Congress — The Festival Arrives
The biggest step yet: a full Sussex University Chess Festival in July - the 5th Congress, the brand-new Masters norm tournament with Grandmasters, the Blitz, an Arbiter's course, and the Summer School, all run across one week.
Read More
Hooman spoke to the English Chess Federation about organising the Congress and tournaments.
Watch the ECF Interview →Get in Touch
Say Hello
Got a question about the Festival? Get in touch.