The brothers of late Bradford MP Marsha Singh were among 125 keen amateur chess players who took on masters of the game.

The Chesstival in the Park event, held around the Mirror Pool in Bradford’s City Park, was organised to mark the 125th anniversary of the Bradford International Chess Congress and to commemorate the life of Mr Singh, the former Labour MP for Bradford West, who died last year, and was himself a keen chess player.

Grand Master Gawain Jones, last year’s British champion, and four International Masters, each took on 25 members of the public in simultaneous games.

Among their opponents were Marsha Singh’s brothers, Nermal and Balbir.

Nermal, who was playing the Grand Master, said during the event: “I’m down, but I’m still fighting. I haven’t played for seven years.

“My brother was a good player. He would have loved to have taken part in this.

“I’m sure he would have been confident of winning. It is good that he is being commemorated in this way.

Bradford Council deputy leader, Councillor Imran Hussain, who attended the event, organised by the Bradford District Chess Association and Bradford Council, said: “I was very close to Marsha. It’s fantastic to see so many people enjoying the event.

“Marsha would have absolutely loved it.”

The event also featured a contest between top players from Yorkshire and Lancashire for the Marsha Singh Memorial Trophy, author Tony Gillam signing copies of his book which recreated the International Chess Tournament in Bradford 1888, giant chess sets for the public to play on, and tents for children to paint chess pieces.