New chess clubs have opened in two Isle of Wight libraries - and more venues could follow suit.

Sessions are set for Ventnor Library on a Wednesday afternoon and Sandown Library on a Thursday afternoon, supported by the charity Chess in Schools and Communities (CSC), who have supplied all the equipment.

Establishing the chess clubs is the first stage of a major programme to promote chess and make it available to all.

The next stage is to supply CSC chess tutors to give lessons.

The libraries of Cowes, East Cowes, Freshwater, Ryde and Newport have also agreed in principle to hosting a chess club with free lessons for anyone who wishes to learn.

A spokesperson for CSC said: "It has been observed that children who play chess have better school results. It follows that they are maybe better equipped for their future working lives.

"Should we all not be encouraging and helping our children to play chess?

"There are very few schools on the Island that offer chess lessons or even a lunch time or after school chess club. Would those schools that do please let us know who and where you are?"

  • A Christmas chess competition was won by Philip Kennerley, with Harry Vernon second and Nick Purkis third.

To get the library chess clubs up and running, the charity needs people to volunteer to be the chess monitor - someone who can go along regularly as a supervisor.

For more information, contact shanklinchessclub@btinternet.com