MINI grandmasters went into battle as they tried to outwit each other on the chessboard.

There were cries of checkmate as budding board-gamers from seven schools competed in the sixth Engaines bi-annual chess tournament.

Junior Kasparovs from Engaines, Hamford, Holland Park, All Saints', Great Oakley and first-timers Meadows Montessori, from Ipswich, took part in the contest at Clacton County High School.

The children played six rounds, with the competition going to the wire.

Engaines A were the winners by 1½ points ahead of Holland Park, with Meadows Montessori in third place.

Alfie Crick, from Engaines, and Holland Park's Alex O'Brien, Owen Maclean and Thomas Watling put impressive performances to win all six of their games.

Milo Locke, from Engaines, Luke Davison, from Meadows, and Hamford's Tyler King racked up five victories each.

The next tournament is in January. Schools interested in entering can email Richard O'Brien at ictsl@engaines.essex.sch.uk for details.