Penultimate round of Munster League 2018

Some interesting results in todays Munster League. Charleville caused a shock in the first match of the day with a win over Sarsfields, a result which blew the chase for the title wide open and also had an impact on the relegation battle. Cork A were missing two players for their match with ourselves, a bit surprising considering they still had a chance to win the league. We won over the 3 boards that were played to give ourselves an outside shot at the title if we had beaten CCYMS in the last match. Unfortunately from our point of view a close match ended in a tie, Gerry Casey won in the last game to finish to ensure the points were shared.

The battle for first place looks like it will go down to the final series of games. CCYMS are still in a good position to win the title and also Sarsfields depending on how they finished in their second match this evening against Cork B.

Cork A 1-4 Ennis A
1. G Spyropoulos 0-1 R Quinn
2. T McGrath 0-1 M O’Donnell
3. S Lawrence 1-0 M Buckley
4. w/o 0-1 G Casey
5. w/o 0-1 A Shamsiddinov

CCYMS 2.5-2.5 Ennis A
1. K Moynihan 1-0 R Quinn
2. P O’Donovan 0.5-0.5 M O’Donnell
3. G McCarthy 0.5-0.5 M Buckley
4. P Dowdall 0-1 G Casey
5. T Myers 0.5-0.5 A Shamsiddinov

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Irish Junior Championships

The Irish Junior Chess Championships 2018 are taking place in Shannon this weekend. Updates available at the Irish Chess Union website.

Easter results

Two Irish players made norms at the recent Easter tournaments in Dublin, winning their sections in the process. IM Alex Lopez made a GM norm. After starting somewhat slowly he won his last 5(!) games to win the tournament and make a norm. A little bit reminiscent of his performance in the Irish Championships last year when he won his last 4 games to tie for first. In the IM tournament FM Conor O’Donnell made an IM norm and won the tournament. Details at chess results and the ICU site.

Easter tournaments

Well done to Denis Ruchko who won the inaugural Connaught Championships last weekend. Andrejs Kozlovs won the Intermediate tournament. Details here.

The ICU Easter IM and GM norm tournaments are currently taking place in Dublin. Both Jan Sodoma and Petr Neuman are taking part in the IM tournament. Pairings and games are available at Chess-Results.

Connaught Chess Festival

The inaugural Connaught Chess Festival takes place in the Carlton Shearwater Hotel in Ballinasloe from the 23rd to the 25th March. Still some time to get the entries in but apparently tonight is the last date for discounted entry. Contact Conor Barrett – development@icu.ie for more information. Conor is also looking to put together a Connaught League and clubs interested in submitting a team are asked to make contact with him.

Munster League Results

It’s going to be a close finish to Division 1 of the Munster League this year, as after yesterdays matches 3 teams, CCYMS, Sarsfields and Cork A are all still in contention for the title. After beating CCYMS in the first match, Sarsfields could have gone joint top with a win over Ennis A but we drew the match, a result that leaves Sarsfields half a point behind CCYMS but with a match in hand. Cork A are also still very much in with a chance, level with Sarsfields on match points but having played a match more. Ennis A results from yesterday are below.

Cork B 0-5 Ennis A
1. D. Smith 0-1 R Quinn
2. S Murphy 0-1 T Dunne
3. G Condon 0-1 M O’Donnell
4. M Weidner 0-1 J. Cassidy
5. A White 0-1 J Dunne

Ennis A 2.5-2.5 Sarsfields
1. R Quinn 1-0 P Walsh
2. T Dunne 0.5-0.5 P Kiely
3. M O’Donnell 0.5-0.5 F Noonan
4. J Cassidy 0.5-0.5 M O’Grady
5. J Dunne 0-1 L O’Brien

Well done to Tralee who it looks like have won Division 2. They were top of the table going into yesterdays matches and a win and a draw meant in their matches meant they finish clear first. Ennis B’s results are below.

Ennis B 1.5-3.5 Dungarvan
1.A Shamsiddinov 0-1 E Lambden
2. C McGorrian 0-1 J Lucey
3. J O Sullivan 0.5-0.5 C Coughlan
4. S Hehir 1-0 I Gordon
5. P Timlin 0-1 P O’Mahony

Ennis B 2-3 Limerick B
1. A Shamsiddinov 1-0 D Fanning
2. C McGorrian 0.5-0.5 P Foenander
3. J O’Sullivan 0-1 S Danaher
4. S Hehir 0.5-0.5 T Dineen
5. P Timlin 0-1 H Prasad

Bunratty Congress 2018

The Bunratty International Chess Festival takes place this weekend in the Bunratty Castle Hotel. With 4 sections Minor (U1200), Major (1200-1599), Challengers (1600-1999) and Masters (2000+) there is something for all levels of chess player. Lists of those entered to date are at Bunratty Chess and there is still just enough time to get your name in the draw, it looks like entries close tomorrow!

Latest Munster League Results

Ennis had one match today and it turned out to be a very competitive one going right down to the wire. A win for Gerry Casey and a draw by John Cassidy had us a point ahead before James Naughton equalised the scores with a win over Nick Larter. I put us in the lead again although Niall McDonnell probably missed a chance to consolidate an extra pawn at one point. This meant the result of the match depended on the result of Paul Carey vs Mike O’ Donnell. This turned into a bit of a marathon as it lasted over 4.5 hours and I’m not sure how many moves. It looked like Mike missed a win in the late middlegame and it could have ended in a draw but Paul managed to take the win and the match ended in a draw.

Limerick 2.5-2.5 Ennis A
1. N McDonnell 0-1 R Quinn
2. J Naughton 1-0 N Larter
3. P Carey 1-0 M O Donnell
4. R O’Brien 0.5-0.5 J Cassidy
5. T Jennings 0-1 G Casey

Chess Fest at Chez Le Fab

Details received recently of the 4th Chez Le Fab Chess Fest which takes place on Saturday 3rd February starting at 12pm. The tournament is a 9 round Swiss with 15 minutes per player per game and there is a cash prize and trophy. Entry is limited to 30 players so get your entry in soon if you want to play! You can enter online at the link above.

Chess Coaching

Stephen Danaher in Shannon was in contact earlier in the week to advise that he is available for chess coaching to groups of beginners or improvers. Stephen, who is an experienced chess player, is currently running classes in Scariff library and is available for coaching to groups around the county. He can be contacted by email on stephendanaher at eircom.net or by phone on 087-6101503.