A LANCASTER 13-year-old will be competing this month for the biggest prize in British chess.

The Ampleforth Junior Masters offers a first prize worth almost £18,000 including a two-year scholarship.

James Hanley, of Coulston Road, Lancaster and a pupil at Lancaster Royal Grammar School, won the title of British Under 12 Champion in August and now takes on sixty other young contenders.

Outside chess James enjoys table tennis and rugby.

The event is designed to bring together the leading young chess talents of both sexes from across the United Kingdom. Forty-nine boys and 11 girls have accepted the challenge issued by the British Chess Federation and on October 25 will begin six rounds of games held over four days. If two or more players tie for first place, a blitz play-off will take place for the Ampleforth trophy and scholarship, and championship qualification.

Peter Turner, Director of Junior Chess at the British Chess Federation, said: "The Ampleforth Junior Masters has established itself as the major championship for British juniors. It's a huge incentive to leading young players while giving them essential experience of top level competition."

James Hanley will face stiff competition for the Ampleforth title. Top seeded contenders are travelling from as far away as Belgium, and include the current British Under 15 and 16 Champion and last year's runner-up.