It's Saturday morning and an upstairs room at Alsager library is packed with children aged seven to 15 plus a handful of adults.

The atmosphere is warm and welcoming and players are concentrating on their chess games with their opponents.

The adult volunteers, also chess players, are milling around helping the young players if they need it, keeping a watchful eye.

One of the adults visiting the club is none other than renowned champion chess player, Jonathan Blackburn, who joined this fast-growing club, Alsager Owls Junior Chess Academy. one Saturday morning.

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

He, like the volunteer coaches at Alsager Owls, is suitably impressed with members of Alsager Owls Junior Chess Academy.

"It's fantastic to see what they are doing and how well they are playing," said Jonathan.

Already the club has several champions including the Staffordshire Chess Association's Under 8's girls' champion - Nihinsa Jayawardane, who like many of the other members, has found it's boosted her skills and confidence.

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Two other members of the club are Isaac Clark (10) from Pikemere School who taught himself to play.

Owls Junior Chess Academy is at Alsager library on Saturday mornings from 10 am until 12 noon. Contact details are on the poster. (Photo: Nub News)

Mum Amy Clark is delighted with the club and how her son has progressed. "His confidence has grown and he's met like-minded children and increased his skills.

"Playing chess teaches so many skills from concentration, recognising patterns and planning not to mention discipline," she said.

Bobby Murray, 13, a student at Sandbach School, is another member of Alsager Owls alongside Kevin Rayner (15) who attends Alsager School.

He said: "Playing chess is great. It takes your mind off everything else. It's a great game."

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

Since launching, 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.

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"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," said Alan, a retired IT professional. 

"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." 

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

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