BASINGSTOKE chess sensation Steven Jones continues to capture attention with a remarkable performance at the Northumbria Masters Tournament in Newcastle.

Following his impressive second-place finish in the British Championship in July, the 30-year-old from Popley received a late invitation to compete in another high-calibre event, once again proving his mettle among chess masters and grandmasters.

Despite facing formidable opponents, including seasoned chess grandmasters, Jones demonstrated his exceptional skills.

Finishing in third place, just half a point behind the joint grandmaster winners, Jones secured a noteworthy record of five wins, three draws, and only one loss to a grandmaster.

READ MORE: Basingstoke's Jones second at British Chess Championship

Jones is on the cusp of attaining the coveted Chess master title.

His current grade has soared to 2,289, a mere 11 points away from the required 2,300 grade.

With a competition scheduled in London in just three weeks, Jones stands on the brink of achieving his aspiration.

The chess community received a significant boost with an encouraging announcement from Lucy Frazer MP, the arts, culture, media and sport minister.

A generous allocation of £1m has been designated to support the growth of chess, particularly in schools.

The funding aims to enhance chess education within schools and provide access to the game for residents.

Town centres may soon feature chess tables, allowing enthusiasts to engage in matches, while main public areas could see the introduction of giant boards and pieces.

The initiative is championed in part by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who holds a connection to Hampshire Junior chess through Winchester College.

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The college generously hosts the Hampshire Mega finals, drawing more than 200 juniors aged six to 18 years, all in the spirit of promoting the game.

Notably, the college offers this space without charging for its use.

The resurgence of interest in chess has been remarkable, attributed to various factors including online platforms and the influence of pop culture.

Basingstoke Chess Club has witnessed record attendance levels, reminiscent of the chess fervour during the iconic Fischer-Spassky match in Reykjavik during the 1970s.

The surge in interest is partially attributed to the popularity of online chess during the lockdown period and the impact of the critically acclaimed series The Queen's Gambit. 

The series narrates the journey of a young orphan girl who rises to become a world chess champion.