CH-CH-CHECK it out! Chess champs from far and wide were in Sticklepath last weekend, for the annual open air Chess Festival.

The popular event, organised by the Devonshire Inn at Sticklepath, was held in fine sunshine on the Finch Foundry lawn last Saturday.

The festival?s patron, Grand Master and newspaper correspondent William Hartston, was on hand, as ever, to adjudicate and ensure fair play.

The festival has been held in Sticklepath for the past decade and again drew a large number of competitors playing in teams of four.

The trophy for the victorious team on the day went to the Torridge at Black Torrington, who organisers said had an advantage because with their broad North Devon accents, no-one could understand what they were talking about! They were run close by the Duke of York team who were runners up.

The competitors were pleased to welcome back the Okehampton Allsorts team, after a couple of years away from the event.