Three Irish players were among the 28 competitors at the Marcel Castricum memorial tournament held in the Netherlands recently. John Cassidy and Rory Quinn of Ennis chess club and Kieran O'Driscoll formerly of Cork chess club, but now living in Sheffield (and still playing for Douglas in the Munster League) made the journey to Marcel's home town of Cuijk in Southern Holland.

During his time in Ireland Marcel played for both Ennis and Cork chess clubs, as well as winning the North Munster and Connaught championships. An example of his play can be seen in the following game from the Cork Congress against Alex Baburin.

The tournament was held at Vianen chess club just a short distance from Marcel's final resting place in Cuijk. The pace of play was fast with just 20 minutes per player for all moves. Despite vociferous support from Kieran's wife Deirdre on the sidelines, none of the Irish players really got going. This may, at least in part, be due to a somewhat over-enthusiastic sampling of the hospitality on offer in O'Sheas Irish pub and the rock bar in Nijemegen the evening before!

When the dust settled at the end of 7 rounds Tim Lammens of Enschede chess club was the clear winner with the excellent score of 6 points. In the crucial last round game, Tim defeated Frank Lommers who was a member of the Dutch contingent that played in the recent Bunratty tournament. Another Bunratty competitor, Jan Selten, finished second with 5½ points. Jan is the chairman of Vianen chess club and did a great job organizing the tournament. Frank's last round loss to Tim Lammens relegated him to a share of third with Floris van Assendelft and Dennis Kerstens. Mention should be also made of talented junior players Zyon Kollen and Thijmen Smith who tied for first in the B group and show great promise for the future.

Best of the Irish was Rory Quinn who finished in 6th place on 4½ points. Kieran and John both scored 2½ points and finished in 20th and 22nd place respectively. All in all, the tournament was a very enjoyable one and a nice tribute to Marcel. It even garnered some press coverage in the local media. It is to be hoped that it will run again next year and that some more Irish players will travel to play in it. Special thanks must go to Marcel's parents Henk and Elly Castricum for the welcome afforded to all the Irish players.

Ennis chess club will pay its own small tribute to Marcel by presenting the winner of the U1400 section in the upcoming Ennis tournament with a perpetual trophy, the Marcel Castricum Cup.

Kieran and Diedre

Kieran (pony tail) and Rory (to Kieran's left)