Students at a Flintshire high school pitted their chess playing skills against the patron of the Welsh Chess Union in a charity tournament.

11 of Flint High School’s top chess players from age 11 to 16 took part in the tournament, playing against Lord Greg Mostyn of Mostyn Hall, who became patron of the national organisation last month.

The students involved were: Michael Humphreys, year 11; Billy Renshaw, year 9; Milly Bielby, Joseph Burrows, Nathan Cooper, Connor Edwards, Ethan Evans and Evan Roberts all year 8, and Jay Harmes, Kai Griffiths and Rafal Kosek, from year 7.

With players and tables arranged in a circle in the school’s Learning Zone, Lord Mostyn scooted from one game to the next on his office chair to play against all the students simultaneously.

The school chess club had gained sponsorship ahead of the tournament in aid of Giddo’s Gift in memory of former student, Jordan Giddens. The idea behind the tournament was that for every game Lord Mostyn won, he would receive £10 from the chess club’s sponsorship for his charity, St David’s Hospice, Llandudno, and for every game the chess club won Lord Mostyn would give to the club’s charity.

Despite the students’ best efforts, Lord Mostyn proved victorious in every game. Ethan Evans, year 8, was the last ‘man’ in and was made “Man of the Match” for his valiant efforts. Lord Mostyn was made an honorary member of the school’s chess club and was presented with a Chess Club Badge.

Ann Blakesley, the school’s Learning Zone Manager, runs the chess club and organised the event. She said: “It was fantastic to have Lord Mostyn visit the school and take part in the chess tournament, he was brilliant with the students and a great sport. Although everyone took their game very seriously, the students thoroughly enjoyed it and rose to the challenge.

“I would like to thank everyone who kindly sponsored the students and I’m delighted to say that we raised £110 for Lord Mostyn's chosen charity and about £160 for ours.

“I would also like to pass on my appreciation to Lord Mostyn who has really enthused the students and has offered to help with our Chess Dojo by compiling tasks for more advanced Chess Belts. We hope to see him again very soon.