A CHESS expert from Elstree has manoeuvred his way to the World Youth Chess Championships in November for the second year running.

Ten-year-old Ravi Haria, of Deacons Hill Road, will represent the England under-tens in the competition.

In a trial in March, Ravi — a Year 5 pupil at The Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School in Butterfly Lane, Elstree — won games against all of his rivals and secured a place at the championships, to be held in Antalya, Turkey.

Ravi has been playing chess for only four years and started after he joined a chess club at Lyonsdown School in Richmond Road, New Barnet.

But Ravi said: “I liked it straight away.”

To keep up with the competition, he uses online chess gaming sites and plays with other gamers worldwide.

He also takes place in two or three tournaments a month, and is often matched against adults.

Although Ravi admits he does get nervous, he has developed coping strategies.

He said: “I can’t explain it, I just focus on the board.”

Mrs Haria believes Ravi’s diligence in perfecting his technique helps his concentration and school work.

She said: “The really good thing about chess is that it makes him really focused.

“I don’t have to chase him round the house to get his homework done.”