YOUNGSTERS from Winsley’s Youth Chess Club have made it down to the final 2,000 competitors in the UK Chess Challenge – beating off competition from over 50,000 kids in the country.

The UK Chess Challenge began in 1996 and today the competition involves more than 2,000 schools and clubs.

The tournament begins every spring term, putting children through their chess paces over an eight-month competition.

Six children at Winsley Youth Chess Club qualified for a Megafinal in Wiltshire, which took place on June 13, and five beat off competition to bag a place in the Southern Gigafinal in July in Reading.

Sarah Cottle from the chess club said: “As a club we are very keen to encourage more children from the Bradford on Avon area to come along and have a go.”

Throughout the UK Chess Challenge, every child is able to win prizes, including badges, gold spots, mascots, trophies and even baseball caps.

The group, which is run by parents who volunteer their time, are now hoping to encourage more youngsters in the Winsley and Bradford on Avon area to join.

The club meets at St Nicholas Church Hall in Winsley on Tuesday’s, during term time, from 6.15-7.30pm.