Winning and losing battles is all part of life and youngsters and adult members of one Alsager club are enjoying developing these skills on the chess board.

Alsager Chess Club, which moved to the Wesley Place Community Hall, has seen a surge in numbers and so too has its junior group Owls.

Both sections of the club are growing using their skills to battle it out on the chess board, entering competitions far and wide with many coming home with medals and trophies.

Alsager Owls is the brainchild of Alsager resident, Alan Thomason, who set it up with a steering committee as we revealed here.

Alan said: "Alsager Chess Club moved to Wesley Place (we meet on Tuesday evenings at 7 pm in the Wesley Place Community Hall) which has been a total game-changer, giving us a fantastic new playing space.

"One of the best highlights has been integrating our junior group, the Owls. They are thriving as well bringing home trophies and several are now stepping up to compete in the North Staffs and District Chess Association (NSDCA) league."

One of the regular visitors to Owls which meets on Saturday mornings at Alsager library from 10 am until 12 noon, is none other than renowned champion chess player, Jonathan Blackburn.

Jonathan, a chess coach living in Staffordshire, is a county champion, has competed in the world youth championships and represents Wales at chess.

Owls has several champions in its membership including Nihinsa Jayawardane who excelled in the Staffordshire Chess Association.

Alsager Owls, which has three streams for players, has gone from strength to strength and now has several champions and looks set to see many more.

Retired IT professional Alan said: "We want it to be a place of fun and learning. Chess is an important game which develops the child's sense of planning ahead.

"There's been a resurgence since lockdown. More and more people are now playing chess. It helps to teach children certain values, one of which is you don't need to win. Chess has a lot of life lessons."

Alan says Alsager Chess Club has also seen a surge in new members, including people returning to the game after years away.

"We've grown so much that we now field teams across all six divisions of the North Staffordshire and District Chess Association," he said.

"We pride ourselves on being a really welcoming club for players of all levels—whether someone wants a casual, friendly game on club night, wants to enter our internal club competitions, or is looking to dive into competitive league matches."

New members are always welcome and further details can be found at their website here.

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