Sheffield's very own chess champions will be hoping for check mate when they battle it out on home turf alongside Britain's best in the UK's most prestigious competition.
Andrew Ledger and Jonathan Nelson are set to compete in 2011 British Chess Championships at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, which will take place from 24 July to 6 August 2011.
The duo will be up against around 80 of the nation's best players who are competing for the men's and women's national titles, while more than 700 are set to take part for other accolades, including junior and senior age groups.
Andrew, who plays for Sheffield and Yorkshire, started playing chess when he was just 12 years old and by the age of 17 he was Bedfordshire county champion. When he reached the age of 19, he was one of the best in the country in his age group.
Originally from Bedford, the 42 year old, who is seeded 17th in the championships, gained his International Master title in 1994 which ranked him one of the top tournament players at the time.
Andrew said: "This year's competition is set to be really tough as it's one of the strongest line-ups for a number of years. Because of the high standard, I'm not expecting to win and would be happy with a top ten position! But it'll just be really great to play in my home city with the best in the sport."
Jonathan, aged 44, has been playing chess since the age of eight after watching other children at school and started competing in junior events when he was 11. Originally from Coventry, he became junior champion in his teens.
He said: "It's a once in a lifetime opportunity to compete at an amazing venue like Ponds Forge with Britain's top players. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll be able to go up against one of the best! It'll also be great to see the juniors get the chance to showcase their skills in front of so many people."
Among the top players coming to Sheffield is Nigel Short, who challenged Gary Kasparov for the World Championship in 1993 and was thought of as the strongest English chess player of the 20th century.
Organised by the English Chess Federation and sponsored by Darwin Strategic Limited, the competition is in its 98th year, although 2011 is the first time Sheffield will play host to it.
President of the English Chess Federation, CJ de Mooi from BBC's Eggheads, said: "I went to college in Sheffield and am delighted the crown jewel of the domestic national chess calendar is able to visit the Steel City letting everyone see what a wonderful place it is."
Helen Broadbent, general manager at the Sheffield International Venues (SIV) Ponds Forge, said: "With hundreds of players set to compete in Sheffield, supported by family and friends, there will be a great atmosphere around the venue. We have a commitment to maximising the economic impact of the city and attracting people from across the country to our wide choice of events facilities. This competition is no exception."
For more information about the event, visit www.ponds-forge.co.uk or call (0114) 223 3400.
