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A young chess enthusiast recently recounted his surprise after competing against rock icon Robert Plant during a children’s chess championship in Worcestershire. The event took place at St George’s Hall in Bewdley, where the Mayor’s Charity Junior Chess Tournament was underway on a Saturday.
Robert Plant, famously known as the lead singer of Led Zeppelin and recognized for classics like “Stairway to Heaven,” “Whole Lotta Love,” and “Dazed and Confused,” made an unexpected appearance at the competition. George Walker, a 17-year-old from Kidderminster and an avid fan of Plant and his band, shared his excitement about facing the music legend in a game of chess. “He was really decent,” Walker said, recalling the match. “I won by resignation because he had to quickly go, but it was a good game.”
Walker, a member of a local chess club, had been invited to participate in the tournament by one of the event’s organizers. He admitted that he initially did not recognize Plant, as the singer had his back turned, and was quite taken aback when he realized who his opponent was. “I was shocked at first because he is one of my favourite music artists… Seeing him there was shocking,” Walker explained. Unfortunately, Plant had to leave the match early, leading to Walker being declared the winner. The teenager hopes they might have the chance to play against each other again in the future.
The event, which also included the Worcestershire Junior Rapid-Play Championships, featured over 30 participants, most of whom came from the local area. John Wrench, president of Kidderminster Chess Club and organizer of the tournament, expressed delight at Plant’s presence, noting it brought additional prestige to the occasion. Reflecting on the reaction when Plant arrived, Wrench said that while many adults and organizers immediately recognized him, some of the younger competitors were unfamiliar with the name. “Some of the youngsters, remember this was an under-18 chess tournament, they thought ‘Robert who?’,” he remarked, before adding that once they understood Plant’s legendary status in rock music, they appreciated the significance of his visit
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