The annual Leinster Chess Championships took place over the recent Christmas period in An Oige, home of the Phibsborough Chess Club. 102 players took part competing in five different playing Sections.
The Masters Section was contested by 13 players, and was won by top seed, Gavin Wall, IM on a score of 5½/6. The runners up slot went to Dunlaoghaire Chess Clubs Tony Fox on a score of 4/6. There was a three way tie for 3rd 5th place with John Redmond (3rd on tie break), Colm Daly FM (4th) and Eamonn Keogh (5th) making up the remaining prize winners in the Masters Section all on a score of 3.5/6.
The Majors Section was contested by 18 players and was won on tie break by Eric Bennett from Liam Porter who finishing as runner up. Both players scored 5/6. Rory Delaney finished in third place on a score of 4/6. Grading prizes were won by Tim McCarthy, Peter Lynch and Bernard Boyle.
The Challengers Section was contested by 24 players and was won by Didier Mukekwa on tie break from Mark Berney with both players scoring 5/6. Ciaran Ruane and Throne Woo finished third and fourth respectively with scores of 4½/6. Andrew Peters, William Ffrench, Ciaran Walsh and Michael O'Toole won grading prizes.
The Junior Section was contested by 22 players and was won outright by Stephen Cowpar on a score of 5/6. The runner up was Sean MacGowan (4½/6) with Daniel Hurley, Roland McCrann, Paul Griffiths and Mark Gallagher finishing 3rd to 6th respectively all on scores of 4/6. Grading prizes were won by Anthony Bourached, John Flanagan and Cormac O'Brien.
25 players contested a half day 6 round tournament for Novices/Improvers, which was won outright by Conor Scully on 5½/6. Anthony Bourached and Oliver Hughes finished 2nd and 3rd respectively on scores of 5/6.
A photograph of the Masters Section Winner, Gavin Wall IM, receiving his prize from Philip Hogarty, ICU Chairperson, just two days before his untimely death, is shown below. More photos.
