Chess is a game being played across Gwent by all generations - with a lot of success being enjoyed. KATH SKELLON finds out more.

CHESS is said to be one of the most popular games in the world and one that is enjoyed by both young and old.

The game we know today has been around since the 15th century when it became popular in Europe and is making a dramatic comeback in primary schools in Gwent.

The traditional game is said to boost children’s concentration and memory and has captured the interest of children as young as six who attend weekly clubs in Chepstow and Monmouth.

Kevin Thomas has been coaching chess clubs at Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools for 15 years, for children aged six-years-old and above.

Mr Thomas, of Monmouth, said: “There has been an explosion of interest at Agincourt School and Nursery, with 31 children in year one and 23 in year two signing up for chess club."

He added: “The benefits children get from playing chess include an increased concentration, learning how to lose and developing social skills.

“I think they enjoy winning and the fact that no two games are ever the same.”

“We hold several events annually at Monmouth, including the forthcoming Welsh Junior Championships.”

Julie McIntosh jointly runs the Chepstow Town Chess Club with Richard Stevenson, a chess club tutor at The Dell Primary School, and local coach Russell Dodington.

The club meets in the library after school on a Tuesday and is supported by the charity Chess in Schools and Communities.

Here the children receive regular coaching from the trio.

Mrs McIntosh, who is a Woman FIDE Master and former British Girls Champion, helped set up the club last year after her children started playing chess.

She said the club is for children aged eight and above and offers somewhere for children to go once they have left primary school and join a secondary school.

“Holding the club in the library provides great exposure for children’s chess and can improve their behaviour and maths.”

“The focus on the club is very much on enjoyment and learning.”

Mrs McIntosh said the club is grateful to Chess in Schools and Communities, which provided 20 chess sets and lanyards, and to the library which provides the room for free.

“Anyone interested in joining can contact the library but there is a waiting list.”

“We always welcome volunteer helpers.”

With the town club propelling the standard of junior chess in Chepstow to a new level, new stars are emerging, such as Anna Boyle, who attends The Dell Primary and represented Wales in the World Youth Chess Championships in South Africa last year.

The lunchtime club at The Dell Primary meets on a Friday and has around 30 members, many of which play in the town club at the library.

Mr Stevenson said: “This came about after my son Neil Stevenson, showed great interest in a chess set found on holiday so I volunteered to start a club.”

He said chess provides educational benefits for children that include teaching them about perseverance, learning how to make decisions under pressure and improving their maths.

He added: “Running the clubs is really rewarding.”

“The Dell has made a rapid ascent to the top of the Welsh school chess since the founding of a club in 2010.”

Today (SAT) the school is hosting a zone of the under nine Inter-Association Chess Championships. All teams have 12 players, and for Gwent 11 of these are from Monmouthshire.

The team will compete against others from Berkshire, Glamorgan, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Sussex, Wey Valley and Wiltshire. The top five teams go through to the finals, held in Northampton on April 25.

The club has also secured its place in the under 11 open finals of the National School’s Chess Association (NSCA) with The Grange, Monmouth, which will take place over two days in July at Uppingham School in Leicestershire.

Mrs McIntosh also coaches the after school chess club at St Mary’s Roman Catholic Primary School, Chepstow, which has around 20 members.

“The school chess club has been to the London Chess Classic at Olympia for the grandmaster tournament on two occasions and is a very active club.”

And it's not just the youngsters that enjoy a game of chess with a handful of clubs for adults between Torfaen, Monmouthshire and Newport.

The Gwent County Chess Association lists five Gwent clubs that play in the Newport and District League.

Richard Miles is a member and secretary at Abergavenny Chess Club, which meets on a Wednesday night at The King’s Arms public house.

Mr Miles founded the club in 1981 which now has around 25 members.

He played chess as a youngster at Newport High School and has played in competitions in Europe, including Vienna and Kosovo and said it’s never too late to learn to play.

“My dad taught me to play as a lad and I have been playing ever since,” he said.

The club has four teams and is currently playing in the Newport and District League as well as the Welsh Premier League.

Mr Miles said: “We have won three matches so far out of three and are hoping to finish in the top two to travel to compete in the European Club Cup in Skopje in October.

Fellow Abergavenny team mate, Frank May, of Llanthony, has been a member of the club for around 20 years but has been playing chess for over 50 years.

He said: “I learned to play as a child at school and would play with my brother.”

Jon Gilbert, 46, is a member of Cwmbran Chess Club. The TATA Steel employee has been playing for the club for over 30 years, having taken up the game at Croesyceiliog School.

He said: “When you play chess you forget about everything else because you are trying to focus on winning the game.

“We are trying to get links back into the schools to get youngsters playing.”

Mr Gilbert, who also plays for a club in East Glamorgan, added: “It’s a great game for kids to play. It teaches them skills such as concentration and problem solving as well as being part of a team.”

Anyone interested in getting involved in the Gwent County Chess Association should contact secretary Ron Williams on 01633 422421 or email: ronwilliams84@hotmail.com