Holly Gibbs

Celia Hatton reporting. Now, if you're a basketball fan, you probably know the name Victor Wembanyama. The French athlete is an NBA star for the San Antonio Spurs. But he also plays another game, chess. And he's such a big fan of the board game that he recently challenged fans on social media to turn up to a park in New York to take him on. Not at basketball, but at chess.

Dylan Rittman, who works for a chess website, was one of the lucky ones that got to do just that. He spoke to my colleague Katie Smith.

Dylan Rittman, who works for a chess website, was one of the lucky ones that got to do just that. He spoke to my colleague Katie Smith.

Dylan Rittman, who works for a chess website, was one of the lucky ones that got to do just that. He spoke to my colleague Katie Smith.

Dylan Rittman there talking about the universal appeal of chess. And you can listen to more stories like this on Sports Hour, wherever you get your BBC podcasts. We've all been on holidays where things might not have gone exactly as planned. Well, two Australians who'd visited the UK dreaming of a white Christmas ended up getting a little bit more than they'd been hoping for.

Dylan Rittman there talking about the universal appeal of chess. And you can listen to more stories like this on Sports Hour, wherever you get your BBC podcasts. We've all been on holidays where things might not have gone exactly as planned. Well, two Australians who'd visited the UK dreaming of a white Christmas ended up getting a little bit more than they'd been hoping for.

Dylan Rittman there talking about the universal appeal of chess. And you can listen to more stories like this on Sports Hour, wherever you get your BBC podcasts. We've all been on holidays where things might not have gone exactly as planned. Well, two Australians who'd visited the UK dreaming of a white Christmas ended up getting a little bit more than they'd been hoping for.

They were trapped in a pub for four days because of heavy snow. Paul and Naomi Wright were among a group of nearly 30 people forced to spend New Year at Britain's highest pub, the Tan Hill, which is around 528 metres above sea level. They were eventually rescued by local farmers with snowploughs. Chantal Hartle reports.

They were trapped in a pub for four days because of heavy snow. Paul and Naomi Wright were among a group of nearly 30 people forced to spend New Year at Britain's highest pub, the Tan Hill, which is around 528 metres above sea level. They were eventually rescued by local farmers with snowploughs. Chantal Hartle reports.

They were trapped in a pub for four days because of heavy snow. Paul and Naomi Wright were among a group of nearly 30 people forced to spend New Year at Britain's highest pub, the Tan Hill, which is around 528 metres above sea level. They were eventually rescued by local farmers with snowploughs. Chantal Hartle reports.

How one simple appeal on social media helped hundreds of lonely people.

How one simple appeal on social media helped hundreds of lonely people.

How one simple appeal on social media helped hundreds of lonely people.

A man from Belgium has just completed an amazing seven-year expedition from northern Canada to the southern tip of Argentina. Arnaud Maldag travelled 35,000 kilometres through 17 countries by skiing, cycling, horse riding, hiking, kayaking... sailing and, of course, walking.

A man from Belgium has just completed an amazing seven-year expedition from northern Canada to the southern tip of Argentina. Arnaud Maldag travelled 35,000 kilometres through 17 countries by skiing, cycling, horse riding, hiking, kayaking... sailing and, of course, walking.

A man from Belgium has just completed an amazing seven-year expedition from northern Canada to the southern tip of Argentina. Arnaud Maldag travelled 35,000 kilometres through 17 countries by skiing, cycling, horse riding, hiking, kayaking... sailing and, of course, walking.

Arnaud, who's now 35 years old, spent two years training before starting his seven-year trek in the northern Canadian province of Nunavut back in January 2018. The Happy Pod's Harry Bly spoke to him and started by asking him why he'd wanted to do this.

Arnaud, who's now 35 years old, spent two years training before starting his seven-year trek in the northern Canadian province of Nunavut back in January 2018. The Happy Pod's Harry Bly spoke to him and started by asking him why he'd wanted to do this.

Arnaud, who's now 35 years old, spent two years training before starting his seven-year trek in the northern Canadian province of Nunavut back in January 2018. The Happy Pod's Harry Bly spoke to him and started by asking him why he'd wanted to do this.

Arno Moldag talking about his epic expedition. Now, if you've ever felt lonely or wished you had more people to meet up with, how about just asking strangers to be your friend? Laura Cooper posted on social media about wanting to start a friendship group after being ill and feeling lonely. And within the hour, she was inundated with messages.