MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Endurance host young chess champions

Ice patrol ship HMS Endurance stood in for an aircraft carrier in South Africa - and brought pleasure to deep thinkers from the local primary schools.

Endurance, on her way home to Portsmouth after her annual seven-month deployment to Antarctic waters, called in at Cape Town where her ship's company were delighted to stage a chess tournament for 30 children aged between seven and 13 from the townships.

The idea came from an East Anglian man, Ted Nottingham, who is a founder of the 'Taking Chess to the Townships' initiative.

Ted had written to Prime Minister Tony Blair asking that if an aircraft carrier was ever to visit Cape Town, would it be possible to stage a large open-air tournament on the flight deck - repeating an event which took place many years ago.

Although Endurance could not quite match the space of a carrier, as she was visiting the city she offered to provide a memorable day for the young, under-privileged children.

The event, aimed at sustaining the interest of the children while advertising the fun, educational and developmental benefits of the mind games, was attended by the President of the South African Chess Association.

Several rounds of speed chess were played and members of the ship's company - including Commanding Officer Capt Ian Moncrieff and Charge Chief McCabe - were persuaded to play against some of the children.

Chief McCabe said: "I lost the first game, and to save face suggested we played the best of three - but lost again! The children enjoyed every minute, and we also felt that our day had been most worthwhile."

Capt Moncrieff fared no better, losing both of his games against different youngsters.

The children were treated to a ship's tour, after which they played the chess competition in the hangar, punctuated by lunch of chicken nuggets and chips followed by jelly and ice cream. The children apparently made short work of both the chess and the food.

At a prize-giving ceremony, the British High Commission provided a small chess set for each child, and the ship presented a framed photograph of Endurance to the school which sent most children.

It was later decided that the photo should be used as a trophy in an event to be named the Endurance Challenge, played for annually as part of the Chess Development initiative within an 80km radius of Cape Town.

Each child left the ship with a signed certificate and a goody-bag of sweets, chocolates, a drink and a Royal Navy hat - although most of the food was eaten before they got near the gangway.

The ship's company was particularly struck by how polite and well turned out the children were, and said it was a pleasure to host them on board.Their accompanying teachers remarked that the children were delighted with the event, as they have few treats and precious little in the way of personal possessions.Capt Moncrieff said: "My sailors found this a heart-warming experience, and a poignant reminder of just how much a little kindness can bring joy to others.

"In the global scheme of things this was a very simple and minor event, but it is a small illustration of how a warship and her people can be a force for good even when alongside."

Endurance sailed from Cape Town on May 1, and has a little more work to do before she returns to the UK at the end of the month.

Source Navy News