General Features

The annual British Chess Championship is taking place in Great Yarmouth for the next two weeks.

The national competition - which is in its 94th year - features around 800 players of all ages, looking to claim a win through a mix of strategic thinking and quiet concentration.

The moves are being made at Great Yarmouth College Of Further Education and it's the first time the championship has been back to the seaside resort since 1935.

The event was launched by town mayor Paul Garrod on Monday, 30 July, 2007 and has offered master Robert Bellin a chance to pop back to his home town.

The former British champion was accompanied by his son who is playing in the under-16 section.

Despite chess' image as a game for older people, Robert believes it's a young person's game.

"I have oodles of experience but not so much stamina and ability to keep the concentration going for many hours nowadays," he said.

"I think you'll certainly find that the winner of this tournament will be one of the younger ones.

"I haven't played in the championships for a long time, but I thought this would be a fitting finale for me," he added.

The current British champion is Jonathan Rowson, who is attempting to lift the winner's trophy for the fourth year.