Over 100 local and foreign participants took part in the Chess Festival held in conjunction with His Majesty's 79th Birthday Celebration. The festival was held at Jalan Utama Salambigar, 28th September afternoon.

The festival is hoped to provide exposure for participants in preparation for upcoming matches. On hand to present the prizes was Pengiran Haji Mohd Hasnan bin Pengiran Haji Ali Hassan, Permanent Secretary for Culture at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. It was hosted by the Brunei Muara District Chess Championship Executive Committee in collaboration with the Brunei Chess Federation.