The Irish Women's Chess Championship 2013 kicked off to a good start with a coaching session from FIDE instructor Kevin O'Connell. The first game was played on Friday night in the Students Union in the University of Limerick and the remainder of the games in the Sports Complex of the campus. The playing facilities were excellent as was the accommodation in the campus.
Every game was hard fought and newcomer Claire McCarrick played extremely well holding Diana Mirza to a draw in round 3. Former Irish Women's Champion Elizabeth Shaughnessy ensured that there was at least one exciting game each round and 9 year old Aisling Ní Laighléis bravely faced her much higher rated opponents. The final round game between Gearóidín Uí Laighléis and Diana Mirza would decide the winner with Gearóidín only needing a draw to gain the title. The game lasted over 3½ hours with Diana's dynamism and better chess winning the game and the title. A well-deserved victory for Diana.
It was the first time that some of the boards were broadcast live from a Women's Championship and it was the first time (at least in many years) that a mother and daughter participated in the event. The event was excellently controlled by Rory Delaney and special thanks must go to Kevin O'Flaherty who organised the whole event and who looked after us the whole week end.
Final results:
- Diana Mirza 4½/5
- Gearóidín Uí Laighléis 4/5
- Elizabeth Shaughnessy 3/5
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