The annual Leinster Chess Championships took place in the Academy Plaza Hotel in Dublin’s City Centre over the weekend of 16th to 18th April. After three successive years of being held over the Christmas break, the championships returned to their traditional April slot in the Irish Chess calendar. Independent Dublin Central T.D., Maureen O’ Sullivan presented the prizes at the event.

The tournament involved over 60 players competing in three different sections Masters (2000 plus). Majors (1600 – 1999) and Challengers <1600. All of the sections were very closely fought.

In the Masters Section Elm Mount’s David Fitzsimons, retained the Leinster Championship title with an unbeaten score of 4/5 following a tense final round win over Irish Senior Champion Colm Daly. There was a three way tie for second place involving Paul Dempsey (Celbridge), Colm Daly (Bray/Greystones) and David Murray (Gonzaga). Darren McCabe (Rathmines) won a grading prize in the section.

The Majors Section was won by Eric Bennett of the Bray/Greystones Chess Club on tie break from Gyorgy Vakles, with Conor Pender and Bartiomiej Cichonski 3rd and 4th respectively on 4/6. Grading prizes went to Turlough Kelly and Danny Mallaghan.

The Challengers Section was won on a score of 5½/6 by Balazs Bedi with the youngest prize winner 11 year old Conor O’ Donnell from Bray/Greystones finishing as runner up on an unbeaten score of 5/6. There was a six way tie for 3rd to 8th place involving players on a score of 4/6 with some of these players getting grading prizes. The under 1200 grading prize went to Tom Collins, with David O’ Driscoll and Keith Harbison also winning grading prizes. Paddy Divilly, Nicky Benson, John Maher and Richard Gould received prizes for their joint 3rd place finish.

Some photos from the championships are also attached.

Cross tables.

David Fitzsimons getting his prize (1st Masters) from his old man!
Scouser Patrick Kavenga poses for the camera	John Abbey deep in thought!
Eric Bennett (1st Major)	Gyorgy Valkes (2nd Major)
Turlough Kelly (grading prize Major)	Balazs Bedi (1st Challengers)
Tom Collins (U1200 prize)	Conor O'Donnell, aged 11 (2nd, Challengers)