CHESS players at Canon Lee School completed a notable hat-trick when winning the York and District School Chess Championships for the third year running.

They beat Ampleforth College 5-1 in the final of the main competition, while three members of the team are to play in the national 'Gigafinal' of the UK Land Chess Challenge to be held at Keele University on Sunday.

Team member Arron Barker also won the under-17 'outdoor celebration of chess' held recently in Parliament Street, York.

Furthermore, Canon Lee supplied the under-14s York and District champions, with year nine pupil Tom Anderson taking the individual under-14s honour.

The school's chess team all played top local player Paul Hopwood in a simultaneous chess challenge at Canon Lee School.

Updated: 11:14 Thursday, July 10, 2003