YOUNG Hashir Sapra is moving in the right direction – to become a chess master.

The 11-year-old from Westhougton has been selected for the England Under 11s Chess Squad after playing the game for just two years.

The Bolton School pupil started playing chess when he joined the junior school in year four and has since developed into skilful player.

His performance in a recent chess tournament to be invited to the England trials along with other young players who were being watched by the English Primary Schools' Chess Association.

Hashir said: "I like going to tournaments, and doing activities and making new friends at the tournaments.

"One of my friends who I met at a tournament is in the England team as well, but he’s in the Under 12s now.”

Hashir's success carries on the tradition of the school nurturing great chess players both in the boys and girls' division.

Last year the junior boys’ school once again hosted the annual AJIS Chess Tournament, welcoming schools from across the North West. Rival teams also included pupils from the Junior Girls’ School.

Year six pupils Laurence Britton, Callum Cavanaugh, Rishi Narla, Aran Pomian and Hashir Sapra formed the winning team on the day. Hashir also claimed the individual trophy with a 100 per cent record.

And the team kept hold of the trophy for another year.