CHECKMATE

In a groundbreaking decision, the Russian Orthodox Church has declined to label chess a 'work of the devil':

Archbishop Wikenti from Yekaterinburg told the Itar-Tass news agency: "Chess is a quiet, intelligent game that encourages people to think. It's not a sin."

A young churchgoer led a campaign and organised a petition claiming chess was the work of the devil.

Archbishop Wikenti rejected the request, but added that "passionate games and arousing games that cause confusion, anger and irritation" are banned by the Church, including computer games.

He failed to say if this included chess played on a computer.

I guess we can cancel that scheduled chess board bonfire...