Category Archives: Irish championships

Irish Championship 1980

Posted on September 28, 2020 by Sean Coffey

The Irish Championship in 1980 was held at the ‘North Mon’ in Cork, from July 12-20. The field of 24 players included top seed and newly minted national master Paul Delaney, second seed Eugene Curtin, former champions Alan Ludgate and … Continue reading →

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Irish Championship 1973, continued

Posted on August 27, 2020 by Sean Coffey

At the end of 2017, David McAlister posted here on his reconstruction of the 1973 Irish championship, held in Cork and won by Hugh MacGrillen. A total of 9 of the 81 games were available. I’m delighted to report that … Continue reading →

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Irish Championship 2020

Posted on August 1, 2020 by Sean Coffey

The Irish Championship 2020 begins today, thanks to heroic efforts by the ICU and by local organisers at Coláiste Éanna. Best of luck to all involved! A report has been added to the Irish championships page here, and will be … Continue reading →

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A game in a thousand

Posted on July 3, 2020 by Sean Coffey

The Irish Championship 1991 featured a spectacular game between the brothers Niall and Gerard McDonnell. Where the average interesting game might have one or two critical points of interest, this game had a dozen at the very least. It featured … Continue reading →

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Irish Championship 1991

Posted on June 29, 2020 by Sean Coffey

A report on the Irish Championship 1991 has been added to the tournament section here. Stephen Brady became champion for the first of many times, a point clear of Colm Daly, Mark Heidenfeld (who was playing in his first Irish … Continue reading →

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Littleton – Ludgate, Irish Championship 1978

Posted on May 14, 2020 by Sean Coffey

Going into the penultimate round in the 1978 Irish championship, Alan Ludgate led the field, half a point ahead of Colm Barry and Eugene Curtin, and a full point ahead of Conor Barrington and Michael Littleton. In round 8, Ludgate … Continue reading →

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McDaid – Ludgate, Irish Championship 1978

Posted on May 7, 2020 by Sean Coffey

Another critical moment in the 1978 Irish championship came in round 3, when Alan Ludgate had Black against Adrian McDaid. In a complex struggle, chances were around equal until quite late on, when an error from McDaid caused his position … Continue reading →

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Clarke – Ludgate, Irish Championship 1978

Posted on May 4, 2020 by Sean Coffey

One of the critical games of the entire Irish championship in 1978 occurred in the opening round, when Tom Clarke had the white pieces against the top seed Alan Ludgate. Clarke built up a large advantage, turned down a draw … Continue reading →

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Irish Championship 1978

Posted on April 27, 2020 by Sean Coffey

A report on the Irish Championship 1978 has been added to the tournament pages here. The event returned to Galway, for the first time since 1965, and 23 players entered. In a well-contested championship in which many players were in … Continue reading →

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S. Moran – O’Donnell, Irish Championship 2019

Posted on April 3, 2020 by Sean Coffey

S. Moran – O’Donnell, Irish Championship 2019 30. ? Another game from the sixth round of the 2019 Irish championship, and another missed opportunity. Stephen Moran now played 30. Rxg6+? and the game soon ended in a draw. He could … Continue reading →

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