THE world's oldest game of skill is being used to teach tricks to a new generation of young people.

Chess, whether it was invented in India in the sixth century AD or earlier in China, is proving a 21st-century success in Scotland.

An innovative project to bring the game to Aberdeen's primary schools is now being copied throughout Scotland and has been boosted by sponsorship, which will enable its expansion.

The chess project began as a pilot five years ago to help improve young people's social and academic skills and has since grown to such an extent that Aberdeen now has the most comprehensive schools chess package in the UK.

The GBP8500 sponsorship will allow the creation of a national schools chess network led by Aberdeen Chess Academy.

The academy, a network of after-school chess clubs, was launched in 2004 and currently involves 13 schools in areas where there has traditionally been under-achievement.

David Leslie, a lifelong chess enthusiast and the full-time chess development officer, said research carried out by Aberdeen University on behalf of the Scottish Executive had shown the project had been hugely beneficial to the youngsters' learning abilities.

It found chess coaching helped form relationships between teachers, parents and pupils which acted as a catalyst for educational development.

"Funding for chess development in Scotland's primary schools could improve literacy, numeracy and the confidence of pupils who require learning support, " said the report.

"At the same time this initiative will develop a facility for life-long learning - 'a gift for life' as one father described his son's learning of the game of chess.

"We advocate an innovative and creative contribution to Scotland's Curriculum for Excellence - a new specialist - the visiting chess coach."

Mr Leslie said: "The major thing is that chess has transferable skills and improves the kids' concentration which helps in their classwork and also raises self-esteem."

"We run after-school chess clubs and we also run evening clubs for kids who want to take chess a bit more seriously."

Young master

STEVEN Dunbar, a 10-yearold pupil at Middlefield primary, has rekindled the long-forgotten chess bug in his home. Steven enjoyed the 12-week introduction to chess given to all primary four pupils in nominated schools and it now ranks alongside football as his favourite subject. His mother, Liz, was taught chess by a relative when she was a child but when Steven started to play it all came back and they are now regular combatants. His father, Charlie, also occasionally competes for the family honour. "It has really helped Steven's schoolwork and it is a very good scheme, " said Mrs Dunbar. "It helps concentration skills. He learned in class then went to the after-school club. Steven began going to the Grand Prix once a month. "When he needed a doubles partner, I said I would play. I was taught when I was a child and it all came back."