The City of Dublin Chess Tournament was held in An Oige a youth hostel on the Northside of Dublin, which is also home to the Phibsborough Chess Club, over the weekend of 26th 28th August 2005. There were 116 participants in five different playing sections, all of which were keenly contested. This was up by 13% on last years 103 participants. There was a prize fund in excess of 5,550 euro, including a contribution of betting vouchers from Paddy Powers PLC.
The Masters Section (rating of 2000 plus) was contested by a very strong line up with 8 of the 20 competitors rated in excess of 2200, including, one GM, one IM and three FMs. In 2004 only 8 players contested the Master Section, so the significant increase in interest at this level in a Dublin tournament was particularly pleasing for the Leinster Chess Union. Gavin Wall IM emerged triumphant on tie break from John Delaney FM with a score of 4.5/6. Both players got a prize of 850 euro for their weekends work. Alexander Baburin, GM finished in third place on 4 points ahead of both 17 year old Karl McPhillips and Mel O Cinneide on tie break. David B. Murray, winner of the Majors Section in 2004, received a grading prize with a score of 3.5/6 as did Simon Jaffares.
The Majors Section (rating of 1600 1999) was contested by 35 players and was won by David Path from Cork with a score of 5/6 on tie break from Semyon Mkrtchyan. Adam Kelly, Gareth Annesley and Darren McCabe finished joint 3rd with scores of 4.5/6. Grading prizes were won by Alan McDonagh, Tomas Bacjar and Lorcan O Toole.
The Challengers Section (rating 1200 1599) was also keenly contested by 36 competitors with another Cork player, David O Mahony, emerging as the outright winner on a score of 5/6 improving on his runners up position in 2004. There was a 4 way tie on 4.5/6 behind David involving John Hensey, Stephen Stokes, David Normoyle and Emily Alfred. Grading prizes were won by Robert Richardson, Aravind Menon and Peter Cloonan.
The Junior Section (rating from 800 1199) was contested by 18 players and was won outright by Michael Monaghan, with a score of 5/6 from Makris Christodoulos in second place on 4.5/6 and followed by Vincent Dinard and Michael Bradley, both on 4/6. Grading prizes were won by Wayne Murphy and Paul Griffiths.
The Novices Section (under 800 or unrated) was contested by just 7 players and was won by Senan Cullen with a score of 4.5/6 on tie break from Eoin O Dwyer with Jaya Thorayic in third place.
Tony Gregory T.D. presented the prizes at the event. Cross tables for each section of the tournament can also be viewed on the website.
Setanta Sports also covered the event and a programme about chess, including interviews with Alexander Baburin GM, will be broadcast sometime during week beginning Monday 5th September 2005.
