DANIEL ATHERTON is a quick learner.

To wile away long winter nights, his father taught him the rudiments of chess.

"Within three months he was pasting me," recalled Leigh butcher Ken.

That was three years ago. Now 10-year-old Daniel, of Sydney Avenue, Leigh, is making astonishing progress as a member of Atherton Chess Club.

The youngster, a pupil at Gilded Hollins CE, joined the club in 1993, winning half his matches in that first season in the Bolton League's Division Three.

Honours have since come thick and fast...

He won 95 per cent of matches in his second season with Atherton; he played for Greater Manchester U11s in two tournaments, helping them win the Northern Counties Final; he won the Widnes U10s Quickplay event, he was named Atherton's top junior, he played in the British Championships at Swansea.

Last year Daniel represented Greater Manchester in the U12s Counties Final and he has now been selected to play for GM U16s.

The successes don't stop there, either.

Next month he will be taking part in England squad trials.

Check mate, Dad!

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