Phoebe makes her move

CHESS talent . . . Phoebe Price is travelling to Romania for the World Championships

A TALENTED Saddleworth schoolgirl chess enthusiast is to represent the country in a worldwide competition.

Phoebe Price (15), a member of 3C Chess Club, Lees, will travel to Iasi, Romania, in April, to compete in the World School Individual Chess Championships.

She started playing at five when her parents started teaching the game to pupils at Greenfield Primary. She joined the 3C club shortly afterwards. Phoebe, of Carr Lane, Greenfield, said: “I enjoyed it when my parents were teaching me at while at primary school but when I joined 3C, I really developed.

“The atmosphere is great, there are people of all ages and the older ones have taught me more about the game.”

Since then, the Manchester Grammar School pupil has represented Oldham and the North-West in a number of regional competitions, before finally staking her place in the under-17s international competition.

She said: “I feel really honoured. Chess is a really good game to play — more young people should try it. They should introduce it more in schools.

“It might seem difficult at first but once you’ve got the hang of it, it’s great fun!”

Phoebe is now appealing for sponsorship to help with travel costs to the championships.

She must raise £2,500 before the beginning of the competition, something her dad, Alan, says she so deserves.

He added: “Myself and her mum, Marie, think she is brilliant. When we started to teach the children to play, Phoebe was only five, but even at that age she had the tenacity for the game.

“At first when you teach children to play you might hint and say, ‘I don’t think you should make that move’, but now Phoebe is the other way round — if we’re playing a game she’ll tell me I’m about to make a bad move.

“She’s a lovely girl who doesn’t go around bragging about how talented she is, she’s completely the opposite in fact. We’re so proud of her.

To discuss donations or sponsorship for Phoebe, contact her dad, Alan, on 07807-409 498.




The 3C club has over 50 members and holds classes on Thursday nights at St Edward’s Community Centre, Lees, from 7pm onwards.