Category Archives: Players

Thomas Cox centenary

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Sean Coffey

Thomas Cox, Irish champion in 1937 and 1938, and Leinster champion in 1936, ’37 and ’38, had what must be the most meteoric rise ever in Irish chess: he took up the game in 1933, at the age of 21, … Continue reading →

Posted in Irish champions, Players | 3 Comments

Double seesaw/windmill

Posted on July 1, 2012 by Sean Coffey

On looking through the chess historical site Chess Notes, a search for items of Irish interest came up with the following curious example, submitted by Oliver Dunne–an old team-mate of mine, as it happens. In fact here’s a clipping of … Continue reading →

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Tomson solution

Posted on June 25, 2012 by Sean Coffey

The solution to the Tomson problem in the last post is here. (I’ll omit a diagram here to allow later readers a chance to try the problem for themselves.) The knight manoeuvres allow the bishop to move into place by … Continue reading →

Posted in Players, Problemists | Leave a comment

J.B. Tomson, series helpmate in 13

Posted on June 22, 2012 by Sean Coffey

Brian Tomson’s career as a player and (especially) a problemist was extensively discussed here last year (Brian Tomson 1942-1986; see also his biographical summary). Born in Belfast, he finished =4th in the 1965 Irish championship and played for Ireland in … Continue reading →

Posted in Players, Problemists | 1 Comment

Znosko-Borovsky’s visit to Ireland

Posted on June 18, 2012 by David McAlister

Seán made reference in the May 2012 update to Znosko-Borovsky’s simultaneous displays in Armagh and Limerick in December 1926. There is a game dated 1927 between Znosko-Borovsky and O’Hanlon listed in the Games section of the ICU website. It is … Continue reading →

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P.J. Laracy, Philip Baker and the 1927 Leinster Championship

Posted on May 7, 2012 by David McAlister

When compiling the Roll of Honour for the Leinster Championship, there was a particularly tricky decision to make about the 1927 renewal. There was evidence pointing towards two possible candidates. They were Philip Baker, champion the previous year (and also … Continue reading →

Posted in Armstrong Cup, Irish championships, Leinster championships, Players, Tournaments | 1 Comment

Colm Daly

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Sean Coffey

We’ve had no new player profiles here for a while, so an update is overdue. Since the Oscars were this weekend, the next profile up is Irish chess’s premier film-maker (among many other achievements, not least 4 Irish championships) Colm … Continue reading →

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Ciarán O’Hare earns correspondence chess Senior International Master title

Posted on January 12, 2012 by Sean Coffey

Ciarán O’Hare used to play over-the-board chess in Ireland in the late 1970’s: for example he played in the 1979 and 1980 Irish championships. He moved to the US at some point, a long time ago I think, and is … Continue reading →

Posted in Players | 1 Comment

Ray Keene simul, Trinity 1977

Posted on December 26, 2011 by Sean Coffey

From a 1977 clipping supplied by Seán Terry: “Chess grand master Ray Keene (29) gave a demonstration last night at Trinity College, Dublin, where it had been arranged that he would play simultaneously against 50 competitors. The exhibition was organised … Continue reading →

Posted in Games, Players, Simuls | 1 Comment

Did Diskin resign in a winning position?

Posted on December 22, 2011 by Sean Coffey

The last post gave P. A. Duignan’s brilliancy prize win against P. Diskin in the 1949 Irish championship in Galway. But there’s a flaw! David McAlister spotted that Diskin may have been winning in the final position. White’s last move … Continue reading →

Posted in Connacht champions, Games, Irish champions, Players | Leave a comment