Human chess game turns Parliament Hill black and white for Alzheimer's research
It was a Queen's Gambit for Alzheimer’s on Parliament Hill, as dozens gathered to take part in a live game of chess on Sunday.
- Sign up now for our daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
Chess on Parliament was raising awareness and funds for the Alzheimer Society of Canada, the first time the event has been held in Ottawa.
Participants dressed up as different game pieces and took to the board set up on the lawn in front of Parliament.
Matt Paul organized the event and says he has never attempted something like this before. He says they quickly ran out of room on the chess board as people snapped up the opportunity to be part of the human chess game.
"First time it’s happened here on these grounds, I know it’s happened other places, but to be able to come out of nowhere and do something, I don’t organize events, so it was so cool to do this," Paul said.
"We hope it burgeons into something larger and has a bigger impact."
Participants said they spent hours making their costumes.
Conor Abrahams (left) as a white rook participating in a game of human chess on Parliament Hill on May 12, 2024 (Shaun Vardon/CTV News Ottawa)
Conor Abrahams arrived carrying 15 pounds of plywood he had used to make himself into a white rook. His time playing chess with his father and grandfather inspired him to be part of Sunday’s event.
Sarah Calderwood from the Alzheimer Society of Canada says playing games like chess, mild physical activity and being social, helps protect people from the disease.
Sunday's event combined all of those things into one fun afternoon.
"We provide programs for people that are living with dementia and their caregivers to help them on the road," Calderwood said.
"We also do research into dementia and Alzheimer’s to eventually find cures. In the meantime, we want to find a way to delay the onset of dementia."
Organizers say the event was such a success, that this will not be the last one. They hope to make it into an annual event supporting a cause that impacts tens of thousands of Canadians every year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Tensions flare between Poilievre and Singh in the House after NDP says it will back Trudeau Liberals
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh got into a heated exchange in the House of Commons on Thursday, just minutes after Singh announced his party would not be supporting the Conservatives' first non-confidence motion against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government.
'It's disgusting': Quebec minister reacts after body of boy, 14, found near Hells Angels hideout
The province's public security minister said he was "shocked" Thursday amid reports that a body believed to be that of a 14-year-old boy was found this week near a Hells Angels hideout near Quebec City.
Missing six-year-old boy disappeared after school breakfast program: Manitoba RCMP
Shamattawa RCMP are searching for a missing six-year-old boy who hasn’t been seen since Wednesday morning.
Woman dead, toddler uninjured following B.C. police shooting, watchdog says
B.C.'s police watchdog is investigating the death of a woman who was shot by the RCMP after allegedly barricading herself in a room with a toddler early Thursday morning.
PM Trudeau names Anita Anand transport minister after Pablo Rodriguez quits cabinet
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tapped Treasury Board President Anita Anand to take on additional duties as Canada's minister of transport on Thursday.
Canadian women among those who allege Harrods boss sexually abused them
CTV News has learned there are multiple Canadian women alleging they were victims of sexual abuse at the hands of the late Harrods boss Mohamed Al Fayed.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police has lost 205 firearms since 2020, including machine-guns
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police has lost 205 firearms since 2020, including more than 120 handguns and at least five fully automatic weapons like machine-guns.
Shohei Ohtani becomes the first major league player with 50 homers, 50 stolen bases in a season
Shohei Ohtani became the first major league player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a season, with the Los Angeles Dodgers star going deep twice to reach the half-century mark and swiping two bags to get to 51 against the Miami Marlins on Thursday.
Francois Legault wants the Trudeau government to fall
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is calling on the Bloc Quebecois to topple the Trudeau government next Wednesday and trigger a federal election.