ONE hundred children came together for a momentous chess tournament to mark a school’s 50th birthday.

The Grange at Monmouth invited 50 pupils from The Dell School, Chepstow, to play 50 games of chess to mark half a century of preparing boys for life at Monmouth School.

Kevin Thomas, class teacher, has been running the school’s chess club for 17 years.

He said: “This has got to be a record, though I can’t find any reference to school matches in the Guinness Book of Chess Records.

“Although we have always had good numbers in chess club, this term we broke all previous records with 64 signing up.

After around an hour of pure focus on Friday, The Grange emerged victorious.

Grange pupil Max Lazarus, who plays chess for Wales, was relieved to win his game by four points.

The 11-year-old said: “I was quite surprised there were 100 of us playing.

“I’m used to tournaments but this is the biggest one I’ve played in. I’m proud to have been involved with it.”

The Grange has enjoyed many successes in the world of chess over the years, most notably winning the British Primary Schools’ Chess Competition in 2004, as well as winning the Welsh Schools’ title on more than 10 occasions.

Elaine Thomas, Head of The Grange, said: “Although The Grange - who have a long history of high chess achievement - won the most games overall, they were delighted to have enjoyed so many well-contested games and to have found a local school where the pupils are as enthusiastic about their chess as they are.

“Chess has always played a great part in Grange life so what a fantastic way to celebrate our 50th birthday.”