THIS hotshot is certainly no rookie and will be working day and knight to prove his worth.

Dominic Miller, has made history after being selected as the first recipient of Brighton College’s chess scholarship.

The 13-year-old, from East Preston, will join the first programme of its kind in the 179-year history of the Eastern Road independent school and has the backing of chess grandmaster Nigel Short.

Brighton College will welcome Mr Short, who became the world’s youngest grandmaster at 19 and was ranked third in the world in 1989, ahead of the course starting in September.

Dominic’s mother Birgit Rohowsky-Miller said she was very proud that her son had been awarded the scholarship as he admires Mr Short , particularly after playing him in a simultaneous match with 19 other children at the school earlier this year.

She said: “Dominic has always loved chess, ever since his grandfather started to teach him the moves when he was younger. He just seemed to take to it and it quickly became apparent that he had a natural talent for it. He was delighted when we found out that the school had introduced a scholarship for chess as he really wants to develop his game, both outside and in school, as he gets older.”

The teenager won the British Intermediate Rapidplay championships in November and plays in the National Junior Chess squad.

Dominic added: “I’m really happy to be coming to a school where chess is taken seriously. I can’t wait to start this September.”

The mastermind of the £2,000 scholarship is assistant head teacher Joe Carr-Hill.

He said: “We have wanted, for some time, to set up a chess scholarship and we are delighted that Nigel has agreed to help us with it.

“Dominic is a fantastic player and we think he will bring something special to Brighton College and will also engage other pupils in the game too.”