CHESS has proved a winner at a Shanklin club — and more opportunities to play have opened up across the Island.

The 50 Plus Centre, at 106 Regent Street, has completed its first chess course sponsored by WightAID and Chess in Schools and Communities (CSC).

Charles Charalambous, the Island's CSC coordinator and tutor, gave the course, which follows a tried and tested, step-by-step, easy to learn system of teaching.

A dozen adults, who had never played before, learnt how to play chess in just ten lessons of one hour per week.

It relaxed them and gave them more self-confidence, so much so that two of the pupils have started their own chess club at the Crab and Lobster Tap in Ventnor on a Friday from 2.30pm onwards.

Charles has opened a chess club at Brading Community Centre, on a Thursday from 11am to 1pm.

Another new chess club is at the Independent Arts' Creative Hub in Newport on a Saturday from 12pm to 1.30pm.

The hub will be holding a chess open day on July 2 from 12pm to 3pm, with a giant chess set placed outside on St James' Square, weather permitting.

All are welcome at any of the clubs.

On December 3 there will be a winter chess competition, sponsored by Arthur Wheeler Estate Agents.

For more information, contact shanklinchess@btinternet.com