THE Yateley Manor Junior Chess Congress drew a remarkable entry of 250 youngsters aged seven upwards.

Sadly, no Basingstoke players were amongst the prize winners, but secretary of the club Joe French played a prominent part as controller of the under-seven and under-nine age groups.

Basingstoke lost 3-2 to Camberley B in the Berkshire League.

Bernard Cooke recorded a win and there were draws for Ivan Stipcevic and Roy Ashmore.

Basingstoke A beat Southampton C 2.5-1.5 in Southampton League Division Four.

Alan Willis and Ken Wyld both won and Frank Bonsey collected a draw. This means the A team are almost certain to finish third.

Basingstoke Chess Club has launched a re-vamped website at basingstokechessclub.co.uk.