Anthony Gordon on his new love for chess as high-flying England Under-21s enjoy fun and games in Georgia

ANTHONY GORDON has helped England make all the right moves so far at the European Under-21 Championship.

However, he has shown tactical skill not only on the field as he adapts to his new role as a center forward, but also off it as the team’s chess master.

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Gordon only learned the ancient game earlier this year when he first joined Newcastle from Everton in a £45million deal.

And he’s used what little downtime he has in Georgia during the tournament as he’s taken the lead to claim he’s beaten all of his teammates.

But Gordon remains superior to team doctor Matt Perry, formerly of Wolves, who was credited with helping to save Raul Jimenez’s life after the Mexican suffered a fractured skull on the pitch three years ago.

Magpie star Gordon, 22, explained: You’re usually in a hotel when you join a club for about a month.

I was so bored when I didn’t work out. I started studying chess, within a week or two I became quite good, but the doctor is on a different level. I can beat all the players but not the doctor!

I like hobbies in general. I have to be good at everything.

If I ever have to prove something, I want to be good. I am one of those people.

I like to learn new things, so when I was bored, I just thought about learning. It’s a really clever game, so I thought I’d test myself.

England have been too smart for both of their opponents so far, beating Israel in Kutaisi on Sunday after seeing off their fellow Czechs three days earlier.

They can now relax for Wednesday’s final group match against Germany in Batumi, knowing they are already guaranteed top spot.

It gives boss Lee Carsley the chance to rest some of his key players to allow Morgan Gibbs-White, Noni Madueke and Emile Smith Rowe to rest.

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Gordon can also start on the bench after starting both games so far and excelling in his unfamiliar position.

He didn’t score offside against the Czechs, but he got the opener against Israel with an Alan Shearer-like thunderous header.

After playing in the middle, Gordon added: It’s very different. Of course, I haven’t played there many times, so it doesn’t come naturally.

I can see a lot of the game in front of me, which helps me a little bit. I play against Morgs, which is pretty easy because he moves around a lot.

I have a better understanding of playing football in different positions, at No.8 and on the wings at Newcastle and now at No.9.

To be honest, I feel like that might be my best position because I think it’s better to run away from people. You can see when Morgs gets the ball and I spin, I can use my speed a little bit more. You can be a bit isolated on the wing, drifting in and out of games.

I’m not very good or known for dribbling the ball, but I’ll take any goal!

After Gordon has been playing with his knights, rooks and bishops, there has been a lot more fun and games as practice has been carried out for the rest of the team.

The team hotel, 45 minutes outside the coastal city of Batumi, has a golf simulator that has become a favorite of Manchester City pair Taylor Harwood-Bell and Tommy Doyle.

But there’s also the card game Uno, the beanbag game Cornhole and Connect Four, as well as quizzes and movie nights.

Arsenal star Smith Rowe added: I’ve played table tennis, it’s my game. I’m not very good at golf, I can’t hit the ball. Chess is not for me either.

I play table tennis with Noni, she’s really good, Max Aarons. There are a few of us. We have such a good team that you can relax with anyone, it doesn’t matter.

Gordon added: I feel like in England teams in the past they had amazing individuals but they struggled to come together. That’s not the problem with this group.

It’s all designed to build team spirit, which seems to be high because every player mentions how good it is in interviews.

Obviously it helps when you’re winning, and that’s exactly what Gordon wants the team to continue to do against Germany, even if he’s not quite lining up for Carsleys’ side.

The bleach-blonde forward said: It’s about instilling a winning mindset. If we take the next game away, it won’t last us.

We have to keep going, win the next one and each one until we win the cup.