SMART moves were king as dozens of talented young chess players converged on a Bolton school.

More than a hundred players representing 11 different counties were at Turton High School, Bromley Cross, for the English Primary Schools girls' championship final at the weeke nd.

And the 12-strong Greater Manchester team did the region proud securing second place, narrowly pipped by a team from Wey Valley, Surrey.

It was the first time Bolton has hosted the prestigious event and organiser Patricia Murphy said Turton's leisure centre had proved a successful venue.

Mrs Murphy, who teaches at Tottington High School, said the game showed no signs of losing its timeless appeal in the face of more high-tech attractions

She said: "Chess is still popular. What children like is the challenge and the fact that every game is different. A lot of them play it on their computers anyway."

Budding grandmasters who fancy trying their hands at chess can go along to Bolton Junior Chess Club at St John's RC Primary School in Bromley Cross.

Sessions, which run from 6.30pm to 7.30pm on Tuesday evenings, cost 50p each and will restart after the Easter holidays.