Success at the York Chess Congress saw a 10-year-old become the youngest player in the game's history to qualify for a national championship final.

Murugan Thiruchelvam, who qualified for the British championship at the age of 10 years and one month, broke the previous best by over a year, according to chess historians.

He finished second in the Fulprint 12th York Chess Congress at Langwith College, University of York, at the weekend to clinch a place in the national championship which will be held in Scarborough in August.

The York tournament winner, Matthew Turner, from Bottesford, near Scunthorpe, had already pre-qualified for the British championship because he is a International Master.

Now he will be joined by young Murugan, who was the runner-up at York.

Five previous boys who qualified aged 11 included British World title challenger Nigel Short and England's 15-year-old chess ace Luke McShane.

But world records are common place for Murugan who last year became the youngest player to draw with a grand master and to perform in competition at the level of an international master.

Murugan has made good progress in the last few months, according to his proud mother Shanta.

At the family home in New Malden, Surrey, she said: "He's had a few months off since October and now he's in great form.

"He spent Christmas playing with his new yo-yo and his PlayStation and naturally we're very happy with his performance at York.

"It seems to have taken a lot out of him because he's in bed with a bad cold at the moment," she added.

"I first taught him about chess when he was three. The day after I showed him the board he came back from the nursery and set it up himself.

"He really is a normal boy who supports Manchester United and likes computer games - he's just also good at chess," she said.

"I often have to force him to practise but he loves tournaments and the atmosphere of competition.

"I've noticed a big improvement in the maturity of his game recently and he's capable of being very analytical about his performances.

"The only thing he doesn't like is playing in front of his dad Kandiah, because he's very keen for Murugan to win," said Shanta, who moved to Britain from Sri Lanka with her accountant husband 20 years ago.

Murugan, who attends Westbury House School in Surrey, will compete for the Smith & Williamson British Championship at Scarborough in August.

Bob Wade, who acted as an aide to legendary American Bobby Fischer during his world title challenges in the 1970s and 1990s, said today that Murugan has a bright future.

"This is an encouraging start. I've seen him play and he's good for his age. I think he'll cope with the pressure of the British Championship very well - after all he's already played at a junior world championship.

"I am hoping to meet his family in the coming days to discuss where he goes from here, but he's an exciting prospect."Gawain Jones, the 11-year-old from Gilling East, near Ampleforth, also did well at the congress, earning two and a half points.

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