HUNDREDS of top chess players will descend on Bournemouth next year for a national tournament.

It will be only the second time the town has held the British Chess Championships having last hosted the event in 1936, and organisers hope it will provide a boost for local clubs.

Ian Clark, councillor for Throop and Muscliff and president of the Dorset County Chess Association, has been working to bring the tournament to the town for the past three years.

"It has been held all over the country in the past few years, and some of those places have perhaps not been ideal," he said.

"Torquay has hosted the event a few times, so I thought it was about time Bournemouth had a go.

"The championships will bring a lot of people to the town, there are usually about 600 people playing and their families come down as well.

"They can explore the area and visit the beach when not playing, and perhaps they will come to visit in future. It can only be good for Bournemouth."

The tournament, organised by the English Chess Federation, will take place from July 23 to August 6 next year at the Pavilion ballroom. It attracts some of the best players from Britain and around the world, including Grandmasters.

Bournemouth has a thriving chess league of four divisions, involving around 200 adult players and 250 youngsters, and cllr Clark, himself a keen chess player, hopes the championships will inspire others to get involved.

"Chess is a great battle of minds, and something which is easy to get involved with and cheap too," he said.

"We call it a sport and that is a bit contentious, but proper games can last for four hours during which you have to concentrate.

"We are hoping this will be good for junior chess locally which needs a bit of a boost."

Kevin Staveley, manager of the British Chess Championships, said: "We look forward to working with the staff at the Pavilion and officers of the Dorset Chess Association to produce another successful championships, as well as welcoming players to the Dorset coastal resort."

Cllr Clark said they are still seeking sponsorship for the event from businesses and other organisations.

To discuss sponsoring the event contact cllr Clark at iancclark@sky.com.