Lewes FC women's play innovative chess game before matches

French pianist and chess aficionado Jason Kouchak supplied a chess board to the players of Lewes FC, in the colours of the team.

They play a game of chess before their matches, and Jason said he has seen a noticeable difference in the way they play.

He said: "Not only does it encourage more women to play chess, but it helps them learn and visualise the pitch around them.

"It gives them a way of thinking ahead, as the players find space around the pitch. In a way, you are thinking outside and inside the box.

"There are parallel ideas of spatial intelligence in both chess and football."

Jason with Lewes FC captain Rhian Cleverly and another player (Image: Jason Kouchak)

Jason, who lives in Brighton, calls the women players "queens", referring to the chess piece of the same name.

He added: "The queen is the most powerful piece on the board, which is what they will be too."

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He said the girls have told him how they have felt calmer ahead of a game, giving them space to breathe and think about the next 90 minutes.

Lewes FC board member Karen Dobres said: "‘Just as the Queen has the most potential on a chess board, so does the women’s game of football.

"Women defy restrictive stereotypes to play a game of strategy and tactics with power and grace".