Category Archives: Tournaments

Williamson Shield 2026

Posted on January 28, 2026 by Sean Coffey

The latest instantiation of the long-running Williamson Shield was held in Belfast last weekend. In a departure from recent practice, one combined event was run, instead of an upper and lower section. In all, 35 players played, including four former … Continue reading →

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Irish New Year Open 2026

Posted on January 26, 2026 by Sean Coffey

The Irish New Year Festival 2026 was held at the Talbot Hotel Stillorgan from December 31 to January 4. It comprised an Open, the Irish 50+ and 65+ championships, a Norm tournament, a blitz, and the Leinster Junior Championships in … Continue reading →

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Drogheda Super Rapid 2K25 KlimaX 2025

Posted on January 8, 2026 by Sean Coffey

The second Drogheda Super Rapid KlimaX event was held on December 27 and 28. As the organisers note, this is Ireland’s only multi-day rapid event. It attracted a field of 70 players, slightly down on last year’s total, who contested … Continue reading →

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Irish Women’s Championship 2022

Posted on January 5, 2026 by Sean Coffey

Last month, Trisha Kanyamarala qualified for the WGM title, making her third norm at the XTX Markets London Chess Classic Open, November 27-December 3, having met all other requirements. Congratulations! This terrific achievement came shortly after her twentieth birthday. She … Continue reading →

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Irish Women’s Championship 2025

Posted on November 26, 2025 by Sean Coffey

The Irish Women’s Championship was held last month in the Talbot Hotel, Stillorgan, over the Bank Holiday weekend October 24-27, 2025. A full report has been added to the Tournament pages here. This year the event and two supporting events … Continue reading →

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1950 Irish Championship, Belfast

Posted on November 7, 2025 by David McAlister

We previously published reports on the 1949 and 1951 Irish Championships, and have now compiled a full report on the Championship in the middle. The group photograph above, unfortunately missing a few participants including the winner, is one of several … Continue reading →

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Cork Masters 2025

Posted on October 8, 2025 by Sean Coffey

The Cork Congress took place last weekend, in the Clayton Hotel Cork City, a new venue. A total of 177 players competed over three sections, and there was a Blitz on Saturday, with 57 players. Games from Cork Congresses have … Continue reading →

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Gonzaga Masters 2025

Posted on October 3, 2025 by Sean Coffey

The 20th Gonzaga Charity Classic took place over the weekend of January 17-19, 2025. A total of 187 players took part, spread over four sections. A report on the Masters section has been added to the Tournament pages here. The … Continue reading →

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Austin Bourke: Margate 1935

Posted on September 25, 2025 by David McAlister

From 1935 to 1939 the Kent County Chess Association staged five Congresses at or near Easter, until the Second World War put an end to the series. Many of the elite players of the period played in the Premier section, … Continue reading →

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Austin Bourke: First Steps

Posted on September 25, 2025 by David McAlister

Bourke, Patrick Martin Austin (1913–95), meteorologist and historian, was born 10 May 1913 in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, second son of Patrick M. Bourke, stationmaster, and Clare Bourke (née O’Sullivan). He was educated at Mount Sion CBS, Waterford, and UCC, where he was … Continue reading →

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