A new generation of chess players had their first taste of competition at the first ChessForAll national finals in Dublin on Saturday 3rd. March. Many parents, teachers and siblings also attended the event which went off without a hitch. Silence was the order of the day despite the intense competition and the organisers were very happy with the high standard demonstrated by the players.
It was great to see children from all parts of the country attending and the top four teams showed this geographical diversity with thirty seven teams attending.
The event was run as a standard team Swiss competition over five rounds. All competitors and team managers were provided with lunch.
For full details of the final standings, please see the crosstable.
Winners
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| St. Patricks, Castlebar, with Michael Crowe and GM Alex Baburin. |
| 300, four chess clocks and four chess sets. |
2nd Place
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| Ballon, Co. Carlow with GM Alex Baburin. |
| 200, Four chess clocks and four chess sets. |
3rd Place
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| NDSP N.S. Glasnevin, Dublin, with GM Alex Baburin. |
| 150, Four chess clocks and four chess sets. |
4th Place
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| Clogh N.S. Co Kilkenny, with GM Alex Baburin. |
| 100, Four chess clocks and four chess sets. |
Prizes were presented by GrandMaster Alexander Baburin of behalf of the event sponsors The Community Foundation For Ireland. Organisers Maurice Buckley and Michael Crowe advise that next year ChessForAll intend to expand their endeavours to make chess available to even more children.