Children become good mates as they link up for Teesdale chess cup

IT was checkmate for pupils in Gainford last week as they won the Teesdale junior school chess league.

Teams from six primary schools across the dale competed in the three-week tournament. Each round was held at a different school and the final matches took place at Gainford Primary School last Tuesday afternoon.

Gainford Primary School was the overall winner with 36 points followed by Cotherstone Primary School in second place with 26 points.

Ingleton Primary School took third place with 17 points closely followed by Staindrop Primary School who won 16 points. Montalbo Primary School and Woodland Primary School were joint fifth with nine points.

Gainford headteacher Howard Blindt said: “It is an annual competition which started in 1994. It helps the children’s mental development. Some children find it therapeutic but it is educational too.

“There is also a social side which brings all of the children together.”