THREE young chess stars are kings of the castle as they look set to play for England in an international series in Europe in the autumn.

The trio - Eugene Geidelberg, Jason Rentmore and Charlie Goddard - did their chances of a trip abroad no harm as they helped England to victory over the hosts Wales on Sunday.

The three Basingstoke Chess Club players were on the top three boards for the match, with Geidelberg and Rentmore both winning one of their two matches from boards one and two respectively.

On board three, Goddard did the best of the bunch - winning and drawing his two games.

With a team of 16 going to Europe, the three are expected to make it if they can manage to keep up their current form.

Geidelberg is the youngest of trio at just 10 and goes to Daneshill School in Stratfield Turgis.

Rentmore, 11, is a pupil at Kempshott Junior School in Old Downs Close.

Goddard, also 11, attends the Priory School, Ramsdell.

Basingstoke Chess Club coach Joe French said: "It is absolutely brilliant that we have three players from the club in the England under-11 squad.

"I can't see any reason why they shouldn not all be selected."

The next big date for the three is playing for England against Holland in Liverpool on the last weekend of this month.

However, Rentmore will have another busy weekend - starting tomorrow - as he is in action for his Kempshott school in the National Primary School Championships at Brean Sands.

The school have made both the under-9 and under-11 age group semi-finals and will play three games on each day of the weekend as they look to make the top two and secure a place in the final later in the year.