THEO Slade and Ryan Underwood, from Marhamchurch Primary School, travelled to Truro on Saturday May 16 to compete in the Cornish Megafinal.

Qualification from their school's tournament meant they had reached the second stage of the British Land UK Chess Challenge, the world's largest chess tournament. In order to progress further they needed to win 4 or more matches out of 6. Altogether, there were 75 other children competing in three different age groups. Theo found himself up against 24 under 7 and under 8 children, with Ryan competing against 32 under 9s and under 10s.

Ryan won his first three games, drew his fourth and, by offering a draw in his fifth match, managed to achieve the 4 points he needed to qualify. He finished in joint 4th place, a remarkable achievement in his first ever tournament!

Theo, who played in the same tournament in the previous year, won all six of his matches to retain his trophy. He was the only player out of the 77 taking part to win all of his games!

Both Theo and Ryan (pictured with trophy and rosette) now move forward to represent Cornwall at the Gigafinals in Berkshire to be held in July.