THIRTY two chess players from all parts of the UK converged on a North-East hotel at the weekend for one of the keenest competitions in their diary.

A sure touch and an infallible memory, not to mention a tactical brain and an iron nerve, carried members of the Braille Chess Association through a closely fought tournament, played out over five rounds between Friday night and yesterday afternoon at the Sleep Inn Motel, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.

Apart from using specially-modified boards and pieces to help players identify them, blind competitors play under the same conditions as sighted players.

Winner Chris Ross, a 25-year-old Stockton-born teacher, travels all over the world to compete.

One of the closest matches was a draw between association chairman Alec Crombie, a Rutland solicitor, and secretary Norman Wragg, who lives in Sheffield.

The youngest competitor was 17-year-old Alistair Irving, who lives near Carlisle.

Mr Crombie said: "The boards have raised black squares and the pieces have bobbles to help with identification.

"A lot of blind chess players hardly touch the board, but play the game purely in the head.

"Players have a very clear picture of the board in their head and can see the whole strategy.

"A lot of us play correspondence chess so it is always in the mind, on the bus going to work and when you go to sleep for example."

The association held its annual meeting on Saturday afternoon and received a cheque for £400 from Malcolm Fortune, of Durham Freemasons. Northumbrian Water also provided sponsorship and members of Darlington Lions Club helped with transport.

The association hopes to celebrate its 75th anniversary by hosting the European Individual Championships, in Durham, in 2007.

New members are welcome. For further details, contact Mr Wragg on 0114 2305995.