Youngsters battle to be the chess master champion

From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Monday 21st Feb 2005.

YOUNG chess masters clashed in a battle of wits in Swindon at the weekend.

Swindon's New College on Queen's Drive played host to the 19th Wilts and West of England Chess Congress and saw almost 300 youngsters tackle each other in this age-old strategy game. The children, some as young as five and six, took part in competition rounds and challenges to find new players for the England team.

Rules were strict, games were timed and each player had to write down their moves, while parents were not allowed to spectate during the early minutes of the match, so as not to put off the players.

Bev Schofield, tournament secretary, said: "It's hard for the youngsters. They are determined to get into the team but it's diabolical for the parents. Some get very nervous, all waiting outside for news. It can be stressful indeed."

Among the players was seven-year-old Jia Mei Lee who had come from London to play.

Her mum, Irma said: "I cannot play but her brother and sister play too, so she wanted to start playing. We end up doing lots of travelling to get them to the tournaments."

Six-year-old Nathanel Cleland from Dorset was also playing. He said: "I managed to beat my

opponent in 33 moves. I got his queen, then he got mine, so I got a pawn to his side and got him in checkmate.

"I really like chess, I wanted to play ever since I saw a Harry Potter film."

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