A NORTH-EAST MP relived a humbling moment from his past when he took on a young opponent at chess.

In 1978, aged 22, Dr Ashok Kumar, the future Labour MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, was beaten at chess by a nine-year-old in a Redcar Chess Club match.

He said: "Within three or four minutes, he got me in checkmate.

"My ego, like a large balloon, burst. I never went again, I was so upset with myself. I had not learnt to manage my ego at that stage."

So it was with a little trepidation that the 48-year-old took up a challenge yesterday from 13-year-old James Kay, a pupil at Kings Academy, Coulby Newham.

Their chess duel was part of the biggest ever mass chess tournament in the country, organised by the British Chess Federation, in which 50,000 games were played.

Dr Kumar said: "I see chess as a game which combines tactical thinking, boldness and coolness, and I would recommend everyone to have a try. It isn't as daunting as it looks."

However, Dr Kumar conceded the game - just before James checkmated him.