Bermuda's trio of junior chess players returned with just three points between them from the World Junior Chess Championships in Spain this week.

But the boys said the experience will make them much sharper next time.

Shannon Lawrence (under 14) and Jamie Hamer (under 12), both from Saltus, got their wins from byes while William Faulks (under ten) got two half points from draws.

Jamie said: "It was fun, but very competitive. They were a lot better than I thought.

"Next time I will try not to make so many errors -- that cost me quite a few games -- especially against players who don't make errors themselves.'' Bermuda Chess Club president Nigel Freeman said: "It was very hard -- the standard was very high. Our top adults players would do well to get 50 percent in the under 12s, most would struggle.'' As well as playing against the world's top players, the party took the time to see a bit of Spain -- although their efforts were hampered when their hire car was stolen.

James said of the trip: "It was fun and we stayed in a very nice hotel.'' William, who at eight was the youngest in the party, did the best by gaining two draws.

The Warwick Academy schoolboy said: "I did better than I expected, but I certainly have learned to think more carefully before I make a move.'' Mr. Freeman said: "The three lads were a good advert for Bermuda. They played football with the others even though they didn't understand a word they were saying and they got on well the other kids.

"They learned a lot and that was our main aim -- to get experience so we can get better each year.

"It was the first time they really had to concentrate and play chess regularly.

"In Bermuda you can get away with silly errors, but in the tournament they really punish you if you slip up.

"They had to sit and concentrate for long periods of time. A 12-year-old kid from Azerbaijan was leading in the under 18s when I left.'' And Mr. Freeman explained that coming from a poor country like Azerbaijan can be an advantage because there are fewer distractions.

He said: "Bermudian kids have all sorts of things to do other than chess. If you're in Azerbaijan you, may not have the chance to play tennis or golf and chess could be your way out of the country.

"Most of the kids we played had 200 to 300 games against the clock under their belt. We weren't expecting to do well.

"Everybody is from strong chess playing countries and are able to play tournaments most weekends.

"Shannon resigned from a game he could have drawn, but that comes with experience.

"Everybody else had much more practice and had full time coaches which is something we haven't got here. It's the only way we can compete.

"We are looking at getting a coach who could be based in Bermuda to teach chess in schools and get standards up.

"He could give our 14 to 15 year olds regular coaching sessions, but you can't force eight year olds to learn. But we need to get sponsors.

"Having professional coaches makes a huge difference. We haven't done that in Bermuda before.'' Under the tournament rules each player plays 11 games. In each game players have two hours to make the first 40 moves and hour for the next 20 moves and half an hour to play the rest of the game.

Mr. Freeman added: "They were playing against kids used to playing with chess clocks.

"Our players didn't realise how much time they had and were making moves too quickly.

"One of the things they did in Spain was to buy chess clocks. When you have finished making your move you hit a button which starts your opponent's clock running.

"It was an interesting experience, but we need to get some girls playing.'' However, girls are part of the problem for older players. Mr. Freeman said: "When we have under-12 tournaments here we have 80 to 90 kids taking part but when we get to the under 19s we have only six or seven -- they discover girls.'' Mr. Freeman said the game was popular in Bermuda, although his club only had 20 members, and had taken off in unlikely places.

"We regularly play games against inmates at Westgate and they give us a good game,'' he added. "It's a cheap and easy way to while away the hours.'' Check mates: Shannon Lawrence, Jamie Hamer, and William Faulks fly the Bermuda flag in Spain.

Grand master: William Faulks, eight, considers his next move during the World Youth Chess Championships in Spain.