Sunday 27th July – Saturday 9th August, St. George’s Hall, Liverpool   Organised by the English Chess Federation   Celebrating the contribution Mike O’Hara made to British chess administration   Congress Manager: Stewart Reuben   See the full list of 2008 prize winners Originally drafted for the BCF website, BCM Editor John Saunders has published an updated and splendid historical list of British Champions in all categories. Feedback to John if you spot anything wrong.    Congratulations to GM Stuart Conquest British Champion 2008   Standing l to r: GM's Keith Arkell and Stuart Conquest joint winners of the Tony Miles English Championship 2008. Stuart is also British Champion 2008. Seated: IM Jovanka Houska British Ladies Champion 2008 and also English Ladies Champion 2008. photo © SC

---

 

St George's Hall is one of the finest neo-classical buildings in Europe designed by Harvey Lonsdale Elmes. Building commenced in 1842 with a grand opening in September 1854. With its splendid chandeliers and gilded plasterwork it is one of the best assembly halls in Britain, overlooking Lime Street and St. Johns Lane and Gardens.

 

St. George's Hall interior showing the famous Minton floor.

It was reopened on April 23rd 2007 by HRH The Prince of Wales, after the completion of a £23m restoration. Carefully restored to its original glory with a new Heritage Centre created to provide a dynamic and exciting introduction to St George’s Hall and its place in Liverpool’s history. Throughout the Heritage Centre, imaginative exhibitions, reconstructions and hands-on activities vividly bring the story of St George’s Hall alive.

St George's Hall represents the prosperity in Liverpool in the 19th century. A regular visitor to the hall was Charles Dickens who held many of his readings in the 'Small Concert Hall'. The interior is dominated by the main hall 169 feet long with a floor of Minton tiles which is normally protected from the feet of the day to day users, but opened to viewing usually once a year. St George's Hall is unique in terms of its architecture, function and history ... more

 See panoramic views and virtual tours of the playing hall