A SCHOOLBOY’s trophy cabinet is bulging after he pipped the reigning chess champion to the post to win a British title.

Marcus Harvey, 14, beat his teenage counterpart by one point to win the under 14 title in the British Chess Championships, at the University of Kent, in Canterbury, earlier this month.

Marlborough School pupil Marcus played seven games over six days scoring a total of six-and-a-half points.

Marcus, of Bletchingdon, near Bicester, has had no coaching since he was seven, unlike many of his competitors.

But his trophy cabinet at home is filled with 55 prizes and others he could not squeeze in adorn shelves in his bedroom.

Marcus, who has a twin brother Jake, said: “It is the biggest title I have won.

“I don’t really practise much or read a lot of books, it’s just natural.”