A TRIUMPHANT member of Exmouth Chess Club has been awarded a trophy in recognition of his hard work playing the game.

Mark Abbott, the club’s champion for 2010, received the Tempest Trophy from three-time former champion, John Stephens, at a meeting last Wednesday.

Mr Abbott lives in Cullompton but joined the Exmouth Club when he worked at the NatWest Bank in Rolle Street in 1996.

He has remained loyal to the team even though he has now progressed to being the manager of their branch at Exeter University.

The former champion started playing chess aged eight when he studied at Withycombe Raleigh Primary School.

He had his first successes in the old Exmouth Primary Schools Chess League and Congress.

Mr Stephens currently works as events manager with the Exmouth-based catering firm, Eat With Englands, in which his sister is a partner.