North Staffordshire is not typically known as a hotspot for chess Grandmasters… but that could all be about to change, with a little help from an international cartridge recycling firm!

Cartridge World's Newcastle branch sponsors a number of local sports teams and societies in North Staffordshire, including the chess club at Hassell Community Primary School , which currently has five of the county's best players.

One player in particular has caught the eye, however. Eight-year-old Conrad Green, currently Staffordshire's Under 9 and Under 11 champion, has continued his rise to the top by qualifying for England 's Under 11 team at the national trials in Liverpool .

Conrad has been playing chess since he was four, when his father Eliot introduced him to the game to encourage lateral thinking. Now he regularly competes with players of all ages in both the junior and adult leagues.

Despite the obvious talent at the school's disposal, Eliot – who also coaches the Hassell team – feels their achievements has been helped by the support of Cartridge World and Smart Uniform.

He said: “Conrad has achieved some major feats since he started playing chess a few years ago – beyond my wildest expectations when I introduced him to the game. Now he regularly takes on players much older than him and beats them."

“It's not just Conrad though – all of Hassell's chess players are talented and have built up a good reputation for the school around the country. Other schools dread playing us now and they start to worry when they see our jumpers!

“Cartridge World has helped because other schools can instantly recognise which school we represent. But their backing has really given the players a confidence boost, because they know they have the support of the local community when they need it."

“It really does inspire the children at times, and in turn that gives the parents confidence and has helped make us the best team in the county, which is good for the school and the area as a whole.”

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Issued By Market Care Public Relations
Your Contact: Richard Swancott on 01782 416371
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Note: thanks to Mark Heath for photography: Mark R Heath

Caption: Conrad prepares to take on Carl Evans, owner of Cartridge World's Newcastle store