Taking time out to visit the Tradewise International Chess Festival in its last week, Mayor Adolfo Canepa welcomed players to Gibraltar, commenting on the ‘exponential’ growth of the festival over the years. Launching today’s Masters round, which included Gibraltar player Stephen Whatley for the first time, the Mayor commented that he had never been one to play chess, despite being ‘a mathematician by profession’.

Mayor Canepa was welcomed by festival organizer Stuart Conquest. The festival continues until Thursday when a closing dinner will reveal winners of the tournament.