THE eighth Middlesbrough Chess Congress has taken place.

The event, hosted by Middlesbrough Council and Cleveland Chess Congress, attracted more than 100 competitors from across the country to Middlesbrough Town Hall.

It was dedicated to Molly Maughan, who died earlier this year, in recognition of her work on behalf of Middlesbrough Rotary Club and its support for the Chess in Schools programme.

Tournament winners were: beginner - Gary Newham, from Middlesbrough; minor - Nathan Huntley, from Hartburn, Stockton; intermediate - Jim Rogers, from Hartlepool; open - Stephen Mannion, from Paisley, in Scotland.

Gerry Walsh, president of the National Chess Association, said: "This was an excellent venue and some of the top players got in good practice for the British Championships in Edinburgh next week."