A chess club in Eccles have returned back to Salford after winning the French European Chess Tournament.
The tournament took place in St Ouen, with the Eccles Community Chess Club sending over their very own players to participate.
The club sent the internationally known chess master, Gediminas Sarakauskas and highly rated player Martin Mitchell, who both play chess in Eccles in local league and competitive matches.
The duo flew to France on Friday 13 December to arrive in time for the tournament to start on Saturday 14 December 2024.
Chess Master Gediminas Sarakauskas was able to claim 1st place in the friendly tournament, being presented the award from the grandchildren of the President of St-Ouen Twinning Committee.
Ahead of the tournament Sarakauskas shared his love for the game, as he said: “This is a game of pure skill, the best test to your psychological resilience, knowledge, mastery everything you have learned.
“I enjoy playing because during the game I manage to forget everything in this world.”
And his love of the game saw him winning against the French and the Italians representatives, but was also able to accept the award next to fellow clubman Martin Mitchell, who finished second place.
The tournament has been running since 1961, with the Eccles Community Chess Club last winning the competition in 2011, through the talents of Marcial Flores.
And the success of the tournament will be vital for the club as they represented Salford City Council, as it is twinned with St Ouen in France – the victory will also be used as a bid to promote the high level of chess coming out of Greater Manchester
And if you are wanting to join the club or find any additional information you can find more information here.
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