Grandmasters join youngsters at Shropshire Chess Congress - PICTURES and VIDEO

Shropshire Chess Congress has been held annual since the early 70s, and this year 145 entrants flocked to Telford from all over Britain to enter.

Players including two Grandmasters and four International Masters signed up for the five-round tournament which took place from Friday evening to Sunday at the premises of Wrekin Housing Trust.

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One of the organisers, Steve Rooney, said: "About 20 of our entrants were under 18 years old, and people came from all over the UK, Northern Ireland, Scotland, we had a few international players here who are now based in the UK.

"It's a sign of the competition's status that it attracts players from around the country.

"This year, for the first time, there are four different sections, giving local players more chances to get among the prize money.

"The strongest section is the Open and has a bumper first prize of £1,000 and while the favourites to win will be the Grandmasters, there is a separate prize for the Shropshire-based player who is highest placed in the section.

"Each match was four hours long, the games can go on for quite a long time.

"They've got to concentrate for a long time, people are in sections according to their ability.

"The top prize is £1,000, the whole prize fund is about £3,500, it's a significant event. The Shropshire one is one of the best."

The event was started in the early 70s by Jeff and Nancy Cox.

Mr Rooney added: "It's an annual event, it was started back in the early 70s by Jeff and Nancy Cox.

"Their son John Cox lives in London now and is an International Master, but still travels back to Shropshire to compete each year.

"We've got special sensory boards and people can watch each move in real time across the world. People are very passionate about it and the technology is very important to us."