Mind games tournament under way

The mind games take place over 11 days

Brain boxes will be pitting their wits against each other in a festival of "mind games" being held in Manchester.

Contestants from all over Europe will take part in the 11-day Mind Sports Olympiad festival from this weekend.

The games includes more than 40 different brain games including chess, bridge, poker, speed-reading, Scrabble, backgammon, and cribbage.

Games organiser Tony Corfe said the mind sports should receive sponsorship from local authorities.

"We do have very good players, not only at chess but at other games as well," he said.

"Just think what we could do if there were more funding to support games like chess within schools."

The games take place at the Renold Building at Manchester Conference Centre.