MATHS teacher Rosemary Philips is eager to check out the competition after taking on a new role as leader of her school’s chess club.

Rosemary will be taking the reins of the Cunningham Junior School Chess Club from recently-retired head teacher Richard Dawson, who has overseen the club’s successes until now.

The St Albans school’s team already boasts the titles of Hertfordshire Schools Team Champions, SW Herts Schools League Champions and came joint eighth in the National Team Semi-Finals.

Despite the head’s departure, the school hopes that the enthusiasm for the game will continue to thrive, with the Year 6 champions encouraging the younger pupils to participate in the lunchtime chess club which they have the responsibility of organising.

Rosemary said: “The chess club has grown from strength to strength over the years, producing a number of county players. The successes of the team this year are testament to the enthusiasm of all the club members, many of whom have turned out for tournaments across the county.”