A new move could see more people, especially the young, take up chess.

Bolton has a strong tradition in the game, with many schools having chess clubs to develop young people's thinking skills.

And Bolton School old boy and grandmaster Nigel Short became the youngest international chess master in history at the age of 14.

Now a second chess table is to be installed in Bolton after funding was granted to the council.

The Bolton News reported that Farnworth also has its own chess table.

The Department of Levelling Up and Communities issued the £5,000 funding to Bolton Council last year to fund  the chess table under a new scheme to inspire people to play the game.

The council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environmental Services, Cllr Richard Silvester, approved the bids for the funding and said it was a great initiative to bring to Bolton.

Cllr Silvester said: “I approved a bid for funding for two outdoor chess tables a few months ago, from the Department for Levelling Up and Communities.

“Officers had initially identified Bradford Street Recreational Ground in Farnworth South Ward as the location for one of the outdoor chess tables and we were only going to bid for that one however looking at the criteria on the Government website, I noticed that councils could bid for two if a second location could be identified, if it met the criteria, and if the Government had not allocated all of the outdoor chess tables from submitted first locations around the country.

The Bolton News: Chess board

“So, I asked officers to put forward Farnworth Park in Farnworth North Ward as well, and we were successful in the bid for both which was great news.

“I asked for the one in Farnworth Park to be located near to the front entrance and across the road from the library so that it could be prominently seen by everyone passing and it has now been installed there. “

The one earmarked for Bradford Street Recreational Ground will be installed very soon.

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The funding criteria is for parks which have previously been subject to Levelling Up improvement funding in more deprived areas and the scheme is designed to attract young people to take up chess.

Cllr Silvester said: “I think it is a great initiative.

“It has not cost Bolton Council anything and so I am pleased that we received two outdoor chess tables and I think that they will be positive additions to both parks, and I hope that they will be well used.”