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Last weekends Scarborough congress attracted a bumper entry of 300, as tournament regulars greeted the resumption of a popular fixture. Competitive chess in the north-east is recovering well from the pandemic. The British championship and a GM tournament were staged in Hull. and an invitational in North Tyneside.

The 4NCL national league, played online last season, returns over the board shortly with 80 teams against 94 before Covid-19. There will be new champions, for Guildfords record breakers have retired after83 matches andeight years without defeat.

County teams plus local clubs and leagues, which have an older demographic, have beengenerallyless resilient, although a few havesuccessfullytapped in to the online chess boom inspiredby Netflixs Queens Gambit. Battersea, Camberley, Kingston, Richmond and Surbiton, all in a suburban belt, have booming memberships.

The Carlsen v Nepomniachtchi $2m, 14-game world championshipmatch which starts in Dubai on November 26 should be a further stimulus. How can an interested FT reader join in?

You can start a game online very quickly by logging on tolichess.org. For over the board chess, log on toenglishchess.org.uk, then click Find a Chess Club for one near you or Calendar for details of future one-day and weekend congresses open to players of all strengths.

Puzzle 2443

Roland Scott v Joseph Blake, Edinburgh1920.White (to play) is queen for bishop up, but can you find his only winning move?A century ago, Scott solved the puzzle and won the British championship.

Click here for solution

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Online chess booms while over the board play recovers from the pandemic - Financial Times