WHEN it comes to chess at county level, a brother and sister at Newent Community School have all the right moves

And now they have each earned themselves a place at the Gloucestershire Chess Megafinal competition, this May.

To qualify, Eleanor Cleverley, aged 12, and her brother Tom, aged 16, had to triumph at the recent Gloucestershire Junior County Chess Championships, and already they are setting their sights not only on ongoing county glory, but on the All-England Competition, if winning ways continue.

Eleanor, the winner of the Junior County Chess Championships for three years in a row, said: “It’s fun and a thinking game. I like trying to predict what the other person will do.

“I’d love to get the chance to improve by taking on the country’s top players and to be seen as a national chess champion”.

Tom, who puts his success down to a new opening move and lots of online practice with chess-lovers across the country, said: “I had a difficult section so I’m really pleased to have won.”

The pair are now starting a chess club at the school in order to share their passion.

Tom said: “People might think it’s a boring board game but it’s really not. It’s the brain-work I enjoy.”

While the duelling duo share a love of the game, they’re not in total agreement:

Eleanor insists she taught her elder brother how to play, having learned at Upton St. Leonards Primary and from their dad, and that she’s the true chess champion.

But Tom insists he ‘always wins’.

Newent Community School and Sixth Form Centre Principal Alan Johnson said: “I’m extremely proud of these students for their great achievement in a challenging game.

“I’m also delighted that we’re adding a chess club to our already extensive range of extra-curricular activities so others might follow in their footsteps.”