When it comes to playing chess, pensioners Gwen Leigh and Brian Fine made a pretty good move. The duo, both bereaved spouses, had never met before when they turned up at the London Jewish Cultural Centre's chess club for their first time. Both without partners, they were paired up for a game and hit it off almost immediately.

Eighty-year-old Mr Fine, a mathematician, tells People: "Everyone had an opponent except for us. We played chess. I won my game and I guess she won hers. After the game we started talking and then we went for a walk in Golders Hill Park.

"We haven't played a game of chess since." Candian-born Mrs Leigh, 86, a published author, says: "I was at a loose end because my partner had died and going to the chess club was one of those things that brought Brian and I together. We formed a very good relationship. If someone is left on their own, I would encourage them to go to social clubs and do social things."

A former interior designer, Mrs Leigh has designed for the Hanover Grand group, and supplied paintings to Liberty of London. The couple now live together in Golders Green, north London.