Pupils from Stanningley and Whingate Primary Schools put their chess skills to the test when Rachel Reeves paid them a visit – taking on eight chess games at the same time.

Rachel visited the schools with the organisation, Chess in Schools, to raise awareness about the benefits it can have on educational attainment. Rachel was very impressed by the pupils of both schools. 

“It is a pleasure to support local schools teaching chess to children, and brushing up on my game at the same time!

“I am really pleased that six primary schools in Leeds West now teach chess.

“It helps to build problem solving and logic skills, and recent research has suggested that an hour of chess a week can improve maths results by 30 per cent.”