PRIMARY school children from around the Island took part in a chess congress on Saturday (February 11).

The event – the 41st to be held – was held at Rushen Primary School and for the last 19 years has been organised by Rushen head teacher Tom Thomson.

11 schools – Arbory, Ashley Hill, Buchan, Cronk-y-Berry, Fairfield, Foxdale, Laxey, Peel, Phurt le Moirrey, Rushen and Victoria Road – took part all fielding a team of six.

With their players ranked in order the teams took part in three hours of challenging chess.

Adult chess players from the Isle of Man acted as adjudicators led by congress controller Harry Minor who is one of the top chess players in the British Isles.

Scoill Phurt Le Moirrey took the main prize and was awarded the Bob Kermeen Trophy after beating the Buchan by half a point.

Louis Scott from the Buchan was crowned individual chess champion and picked up the Tom Karen Trophy.

The youngest players in each school's team also played each other for the title of the best young player. Adam Roberts from Scoill Phurt Le Moirrey was awarded this and received the Henry Krebs Memorial Cup. 

Mr Thomson said: "It was a great morning and all the children did themselves proud. Many thanks to the Island chess club players who adjudicated, Harry Minor for being the controller, the team managers and the children's parents."

Arthur Taggart from the Rotary Club of Onchan, which has sponsored the event for many years, presented the prizes on the day alongside Rushen MHK Juan Watterson.

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