THE grey matter of local chess players was tested last Saturday at the seventh Hatherleigh Outdoor International Chess Challenge in Hatherleigh Square on Saturday.

The event always puts the hardiest of players to the test, but this year they got to enjoy their chess in glorious sunshine.

The idea for a chess challenge in the area first started in 1992, with a match between the Red Lion in Exbourne and the Devonshire Inn in Sticklepath.

The two sides represented England and France in a play on the Napoleonic wars.

After a resurgence in interest the challenge progressed to its outdoor staging in 2007, and has become a staple on the town calendar ever since.

As well as chess there was Billy Best's hat competition in memory of William Best, a regular member of the Torrington team.

Shebbear College student Theo Slade, 12, from Bude, won the tournament, much to his father's delight as he grasped the bottle of wine.

Theo is off to China soon, to play chess. He is on his way to being a grandmaster and represents Devon and is ninth best junior in the country.

Local man John Morris from Okehampton came second.

The trophies will be on display in The Cabinet at the Tally Ho!

The Billy Best's Hat competition was won by Neil Price.

The first Saturday in the month sees a chess gathering in the Tally Ho! — chess for fun for free at three.

There is also a pub chess league which runs through the winter months for pubs which can muster four players on a regular basis. Please contact Neil 07890 615454 or email [email protected]">[email protected] if you wish to join the league.