More than 40 youngsters locked horns at Yewlands School in Parson Cross - but they had little time to ponder over their pawns.

For this was rapid play chess, with each game lasting a maximum half hour each.

Schools taking part were Yewlands, Firth Park, Hinde House, Wisewood, High Storrs, Tapton and Parkwood High, with teams of six players.

Each player took part in six games and the event lasted for almost six gruelling hours of mental muscle-stretching.

Pupils also filmed some of the action to create a promotional DVD magazine about the tournament, complete with game analysis and interviews with players, teachers and local chess enthusiasts.

Organiser John Palmer, who had been working part-time at Yewlands on a voluntary basis, set up a lunchtime chess club during the spring term.

"This proved to be a moderate success but some of the students were a little disappointed that the club didn't run every day," he said.

"So after Easter we expanded the club so it ran every school day lunchtime. This had an almost immediate impact on attendance so that eventually we were, and still are, getting around 25 to 30 every lunchtime.

"Our family of primary schools, Mansel, Meynell, Grenoside, St Thomas More and Foxhill heard about the club and have become interested in starting sister clubs with our help.

"Now we're even opening a weekend branch of the club every Saturday lunchtime at Yew Lane Community Centre, open to all members of the public who can play the game or who cannot play and are keen to learn.

"So chess is really becoming very popular at Yewlands and the cross-city tournament was our biggest and most successful event yet."