UK vs Ukraine Grandmaster chess match scores a draw

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle made the ceremonial opening move – d2 to d4, the Queen’s Pawn – for Michael Adams, the UK’s number one chess player - while His Excellency Vadym Prystaiko, Ukraine’s Ambassador to the UK, replied with Knight f6 for Andrei Volokitin, three-time and reigning Ukrainian chess champion, in the eight-minute Blitz game at Speaker’s House. 

At the same time, a series of 12 matches pitting MPs against peers resulted in a House of Commons triumph by a score of 8.5 - 3.5. 

Transport Minister Jesse Norman, Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves, SNP’s Chris Stephens, Conservatives John Baron and Tobias Ellwood played for the Commons - while scientist and Labour’s Lord Robert Winston, Plaid Cymru’s Lord Dafydd Wigley and Crossbencher Lord Bernard Hogan-Howe were among those who took part for the Lords. 

The Speaker said he was ‘honoured to host the first challenge match in Speaker’s House between leading players of two close allies. 

‘Parliament and the UK are giving support to Ukraine in every way we can, as it battles against this illegal invasion by Russia. Enabling important cultural and sporting activities is another way of championing that,’ he said. 

‘Chess is also a wonderful game of strategy that crosses boundaries of language, age, sex, culture and disability – which makes it the perfect sport for Grandmasters of two friendly nations, or even parliamentarians, to play.’ 

Sir Lindsay was advised on his opening move by the Speaker of Lithuania Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen – herself a Grandmaster who won the European Individual Women Chess Championship in 2011. 

The event was organised by the charity, Chess in Schools and Communities, and the English Chess Federation as part of their support for Ukrainian chess.