Chess scholarships offered at Millfield

Talented young chess players are to be offered scholarships to one of Britain's most expensive independent schools.

Talented young chess players are to be offered scholarships to one of Britain's most expensive independent schools.

Millfield School in Somerset, known for its top-level sports coaching, is offering discounted fees to children hoping to be the grandmasters of the future. The school, whose old boys include Gareth Edwards, Duncan Goodhew and Mark Cox, is to hold a chess selection day for shortlisted hopefuls in November, with the first scholars starting at the school in 2001. At least one scholarship will be awarded each year.

The awards, worth half the annual fees of up to £14,000, are endorsed by Nigel Short, the English chess grandmaster, currently ranked 13th in the world, who will provide some coaching on the course.

Tuition for chess scholars will be provided by Andrew Martin, an international chess master and school chess coach, currently one of the top 25 or 30 players in Britain.

The scholarships were announced yesterday at the start of the annual British Open Chess Championships, which are being staged at the school.

The 1,200-pupil school, in Street, Somerset, included the grandsons of Boris Yeltsin and Deng Xiaoping among its pupils. Facilities include 23tennis courts, an Olympic-size swimming pool and a golf course.

Mr Martin said: "From the chess world's point of view this seemed like a good way of promoting chess and raising its profile as a valuable part of education.

"Millfield is looking to branch out. They have a very good sporting reputation, but they want to improve their academic name and their reputation in games like chess. We hope we can offer a very good education and unrivalled opportunities for developing chess talents."