Join us for the Belmont Bookshop's 2nd Annual Literary Festival in Belmont, NC, on September 5th, 2026, during Labor Day Weekend. Experience a holiday filled with family entertainment, author conversations, a chess tournament, live theater performances, and much more! Participate in the Chess Free Play presented by the Gaston County Chess Club, where you can engage in casual, non-competitive games of chess with fellow attendees, including author Steve Sheinkin and World Chess Hall of Fame Grandmaster Maurice Ashley. Chess tables and boards will be available for free play, but registration is required on a first-come, first-served basis. Additionally, don’t miss Chess 101 with Maurice Ashley, where the first African American chess grandmaster will teach the basics of chess in a session suitable for all ages. Space is limited, so registration is required, with a small fee of $5 to help support Gaston County Chess Club’s equipment needs. Join us for a weekend of fun and learning!