This was the eighth in a series of chess tournaments run by transition year students at Gonzaga College, Ranelagh, Dublin 6. The goal is not just to provide a traditional weekend event, but to raise as much money as possible for charity. This year that proved more difficult than usual as a tighter financial regime made sponsorship less forthcoming than in previous years. Among those who came through were Starbucks, Butlers Chocolate, movies@dundrum, Game and Young's Bakery.

The tournament was held over the weekend of 30 January - 1 February 2009. The chief organisers were Marc Lincoln, Conor Costigan, Conor Young, Ivan Dudurych and Peter Gillen, with assistance from Daniel Lynch.

Perhaps with their eye on the forthcoming revision of the Laws of Chess, due to come into effect on 1 July 2009, the players took a keen interest in the rigorous application of the laws.

There were a number of ancillary events including a talk on selected games by the players given by Alexander Baburin GM, a swap chess event won by Sam Osborne and a Fritz Blitz Challenge won by Kilian Delaney.

The top scorers in each section were as follows:

Masters

1 Adam Spirek 4/5; 2 Gerry O’Connell 4½; 3 David Murray 3 (crosstable)

Championship

1 Mark Berney 5/6; 2 Sean Murphy 4½; 3-5 Carl Jackson, Tom Fitzpatrick, Peter Lynch 3½ (crosstable)

Major

1-2 Ciaran Ruane, John W Curtis 5/6; 3 Kevin Burke 4½; grading prize Mark Finnegan (crosstable)

Challengers

1 Iain Collins 5½/6; 2-3 Ross Byrne, Patrick Young 5; grading prize David Hobbs; ladies prize Johanna Lowry O’Reilly (crosstable)