PLAYERS from as far away as Germany have arrived in Paignton for this year's Chess Congress.

The competition has been taking place at Oldway Mansion for the past 60 years, having started out as a one-off event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Devon County Chess Association.

Paignton's town fathers back in 1951 were so keen to attract chess players they offered free deck chairs and free rounds on the Oldway Mansion putting green as an inducement!

The diamond jubilee tournament, which has attracted around 200 chess players, was opened by Cllr Matthew Phillips, the chairman of Torbay Council.

Cllr Phillips said it was a pleasure to host the congress for the 60th time and hoped it would still be running for another 60 years!

Stephen Thorpe-Tracey, the chairman of DCCA, thanked the players who had made long journeys to the resort, and hoped Paignton would benefit from the influx of visitors.

A VIP guest for the opening was Connagh-Joseph de Mooi, the multi-faceted president of the English Chess Federation. At various times in an interesting career he has been a male model, professional quiz show panellist, Mensa member and marathon runner.

Mr de Mooi told competitors at the opening ceremony he had not had the pleasure of playing at Paignton, but praised the efforts of the local committee arranging the congress and wished them well for the coming week.

There are several tournaments in progress with Paignton grandmaster, Keith Arkell, taking part in the main event, along with other local players such as Freddie Sugden and Alex Billings (Newton Abbot), Geoff Rosser, Norman Tidy (Torquay) and Alan Brusey (Teignmouth).

The match format can be gruelling with 40 moves in two hours then another 20 in an hour before a 30-minute deadline kicks in. Winners benefit both financially and with a nominated place in the English Championships.

TO MARK 60 years of the Paignton Chess Congress, a 157-page softback book has been written and published by Bob Jones, the DCCA publicity officer.

The book – entitled 60 Years In The Same Room – covers the birth of the Congress up to the present day.

Matches from past tournaments are analysed and there are biographic sketches of Congress characters down the years, as well as a picture of international grand master Gary Lane, who learned his chess in Paignton before making his home in Australia.

Copies of the book can be picked up from the Congress, or by contacting Jones via www.keverelchess.com