MORE than 70 blind chess players pitted their wits against each other at a top competition in York.

The participants use special braille chess boards and shout their moves out.

The chess clock also has no glass in it so players can feel how much time they have left to make a move.

The competition, which was held at the Elmbank Hotel, in The Mount, marked the 70th anniversary of the Braille Chess Association.

Players taking part were aged between ten and 80 and they came from as far away as India.

Organiser Gerry Walsh said: "It has gone very well.

"It shows that disabled people can play chess. Hopefully the word will spread. It's a great game."

Updated: 09:37 Monday, November 11, 2002