CHESS players and friends gathered in the Old Schoolhouse near Appletreewick to renew acquaintances - before play started in earnest for the esteemed prize of the Flat Cap and Braces of Honour.

It had been a difficult year to get everyone together for the 2019 tournament. Illnesses and family holidays had prevented a few from coming. Peter from Scotland, who has one of the finest chess set collections in Britain, came, but, alas, was not playing. Steve, a well known snooker player, had been invited but was otherwise engaged. Then, at almost the last moment, two players had to drop out.

A letter was written to Boris inviting him, in the spirit of positivity, to play. Unfortunately, he must have been a bit busy and there was no reply.

So on Saturday, August 10, eight doughty players played each other for a place in the semi-finals and the final on the Sunday. A terrible storm raged outside, but within all was quiet apart from the clicking of chess clocks as play went on.

Strangely, Chris - last year’s runner up, and winner of the prize of the plums that someone else ate - was not on form. Newcomer, Peter , played very well - as did Ole from Norway. There were rumours that Ole had been taking lessons from Magnus Carlsen in preparation for this tournament.

Joost, from Holland, looked to be heading towards the finals until he faced one cunning old fox, who in three consecutive moves turned their game upside down.

Vince, the dry stone wall man, was his usual hospitable self but chalked up two wins against Steve and Boris. Colm was his usual calm and considered self and won all his games.

On Sunday, Colm faced Rupert, who had a heavy cold - and a ready made excuse, in one semi-final, while Peter faced Ole in the other.

Cool-as-a cucumber Colm won his game against the redoubtable Rupert, while Peter blew his game against Ole.

And to the final - Ole against Colm. Despite Ole’s tactics, some of which were a bit dubious -Ole offered Colm a piece of kiln dried cod during play - Colm’s superior play saw him emerge triumphant.

Although this was the third year in a row that Colm received the Flat Cap and Braces of Honour, he was, again, overwhelmed with emotion as he received his prize.

Ole, too, was pleased to receive his blue Braces of Honour and put them on straight away - clipping them onto his belt. One or two muttered, “Belt and braces” in a low tone - but Ole was oblivious. As is now traditional, proceedings were brought to a close by toasting each other with a bottle of Leventhorpe Yorkshire sparkling wine.