A new chess club, running the first and third Thursday of each month, at St Mary's Church Hall in Launceston has got off to a good start. The club, organised by Cornwall Blind Association, hopes to encourage sighted players to come along and enjoy a game of chess with visually impaired players — who have special tactile chess boards to help them to play. Members are of all standards from beginners to experienced chess players. Alison Sullivan, Cornwall Blind Association's North Cornwall Co-ordinator, said her clients are very much enjoying the mental stimulus chess is bringing them as well as the social side of the club. The club has both a sighted and unsighted coach. Alison is also very pleased that young helpers are involved in running the club with, for example, young Rachel Kirkby assisting the visually impaired players and under 17's school champion, Dan Miller, coming along to offer a challenging game to the experienced player. For further details on the club, contact Alison on 01872 266704.