Ireland 2:2 Scotland

More challenging day after two recent victories. We were outrated on the top three boards by Scotland but had hopes of an upset. As it was, we collected an early win on the bottom board where Danny outranked his opponent by a couple of hundred points and he made it tell. On board 2, Michael got into an awkward position suffering from a pin on the kingside. He never really got his pieces into the game and pawns started to drop and with it the game. Geoffrey’s game seemed on a knife edge since he had a better position but a lot less time. However he managed to promote a pawn in the middle game (not sure whether his opponent miscalculated) and his second queen lead to a swift resignation. Last to finish was Diana on board 1. She looked to have a slight edge throughout most of the game but it slipped away as the endgame was played with little time on both their clocks. So in the end, two wins on board 3 and 4 secured a draw. Probably a fair result.

Rest day tomorrow. Thursday is the second double day with Canada II (rating average 2075) first up at 9am Irish time.

Day 3

Finland 1:3 Ireland

Very good day with victory over Finland 3-1. First to finish was Danny who blitzed his opponent in 21 moves. His opponent had the good grace to resign having dropped a rook after a sequence of exchanges. Next to finish was Cian. He knew the opening well and was above his starting time after 20 moves thanks to the 30 second increment. He got a good draw against his 2108 rated opponent. That left us on 1.5 needing Geoffrey or Diana to garner a further point for victory. Both matches looked very equal for a long time. Out of very little Geoffrey managed to create a kingside attack that eventually saw him break through. He emerged an exchange up. Diana’s game started to get interesting when her opponent fashioned a pass pawn in the middle of the board. However Diana defended well and managed to create good counter play at a key stage. Her game ended up in a rook a pawn ending that was finally agreed a draw after nearly 4 hours. Meanwhile Geoffrey was patiently pushing his advantage home albeit it took a while as his opponent made him prove he knew how to mate with king and queen vs king.

Scotland tomorrow including familiar faces from previous Glorney-Gilberts.

Day 2

Slovakia West 4:0 Ireland

Ireland 4:0 South Korea II

Day 2 featured a double round. In the morning we were outrated on all boards against Slovakia West. Cian was unable to follow up on the heroics of yesterday and under time pressure was squeezed out. The next game to finish was Michael’s, a typical King Indian with attacks on opposite wings. Unfortunately when the dust settled, white had a little extra material and converted. Danny gave everything in his first match, but despite the opposite coloured bishops ending and his opponent being short of time, he was unable to hold out against a couple of extra pawns. Diana for the second day in a row had a great game and went an exchange up. Unfortunately, both players ran very short of time and the game slipped from her grasp. Sadly a 4-0 loss.

The afternoon saw us playing the South Korea 2 team. On paper, we were expected to win but we were nervous of the ratings of players who have travelled half way around the world. As it was, it went to form. Cian was first to finish, winning efficiently on board one. Danny’s game featured a successful queen sacrifice for three pieces which produced a decisive advantage. Michael’s game also featured a rook sacrifice which his opponent correctly left alone. However victory for Ireland followed quickly. Last to finish was Geoffrey who was a piece up for a long time and converted to close out a 4-0 victory.

A good day overall.

Day 1 Ireland 1:3 Croatia

A great day for Cian McGovern Leahy, beating a 2300 FM. Cian played his last 15 moves with approx. 1-2 minures on his clock and did really well. Diana Mirza had a very strong match, looking like a draw until confusion of the clock meant she lost on time. Michael Higgins played the start of the middle game a little ambitiously when caution was required. While his opponent didn't execute perfectly, he won well. Geoffrey Keating had a great start and had a chance to take a clear advantage. He missed it and the next move his opponent launched a long sacrificial attack ultimately going two minor pieces down. Computers had it a draw but it required Geoffrey to find the right move every time. Sadly time pressure intervened and he missed the 7th required move.

The hall (complete with airport scanners) is a great venue. Best we’ve seen.

Tomorrow is a new day.

Report by Paul Higgins