Five-year-old Shane Melaugh was today playing for Ireland under-12s in an international chess tournament in Dublin.

And this is all before he has learned to read and write.

The youngster, from Killea, took his place yesterday in the three-day 2007 Glorney and Faber Chess Cup at the HUB, Dublin City University.

The St Eugene's Primary School pupil played his first game on board 6 for the Irish B team against Ireland A's Ashley Campion.

Unfortunately he lost, but his father, Edmond Melaugh, said he was undaunted and was looking forward today to getting back to the board.

"I think he wasa little nervous with it being the first game and his opponent was very strong," he said. "But he is looking forward to his matches today. By the end of the week he'll be flying."

Mark Quinn, PRO of the Irish Chess Union, said: "He is quite exceptional. I am deeply impressed by his presence at the board. He has a very good positional sense."

Preparation for Shane's entry onto the international stage saw him warm up against international chess master 85-year-old Eugene O'Hare, who said the five-year-old was the best he'd ever seen for his age.