THE Basingstoke Chess Club is holding its next Family Chess morning on Saturday at the Discovery Centre/Library starting at 10am until 1pm.

All are welcome to pop in at any time and have a game.

The club have found luck in the new year hard to come by with defeats in the three matches played to date.

In the Berkshire League Division One Reading players heavily out graded Basingstoke players on all boards and won 4½ to 1 ½.

The highlight for Basingstoke was a remarkable win on top board by Paul Hackman against a player close to a grand master rating. The other counter came from a David Graham draw.

In the Southampton League Division Three the Basingstoke A teams long unbeaten league run came to an end with a narrow 3-2 loss at Salisbury B. The Basingstoke points came from a Barry Kocan win and draws from Graham and Philip Ware.

The Sherborne Road club lead the Division by one point from Winchester A.

In Division Four the B team lost narrowly 2 ½ to 1 ½ at Chandlers Ford B with Adam Matthews scoring a win and Frank Bonsey a draw.

There were two Basingstoke League results as follows Central 2 ½ Basing 5 ½, Junior Club 2 Kempshott 6.

Many junior players have had their first experience of competitive chess and all have acquitted themselves well.

Basingstoke Bridge and Chess Club has been massively re-furbished over the past year with a new kitchen, toilets, disabled access and lighting. There are further plans for an extension to the club. The Chess Club meets every Wednesday from 7pm and details can be found on the website basingstokechessclub.co.uk New members welcome from beginner to seasoned player.