The Irish Chess Union

Glorney Gilbert International 2026 ... #Expressions of interest by midnight Friday the 8th of May

While we recognise the potential travel issues , the tournaments will go ahead as planned this weekend.

Chess: The women content creators bringing the ancient game into the digital age.

Glorney Gilbert International 2026 ... The ICU invites expressions of interest from players seeking to represent Ireland in the 2026 Glorney Gilbert International.

https://www.icu.ie/events/1186

Cork Chess Club are hosting a Junior Rapid Chess Tournament.

https://www.icu.ie/events/2213

See ChessBase article here.

Cork Chess Club is arranging discount rates with suitable hotels close to the venue. https://www.icu.ie/events/1186

The Irish Junior Championships take place from 10th to 12th April 2026 in Ballincollig, Cork.

https://icu.ie/events/1186

2026 Irish Junior Championsips will be held in Ballicollig, Cork from the 10th to the 12th of April 2026.

https://www.icu.ie/articles/1177

Congratulations to Trisha Kanyamarala on becoming Ireland's first-ever Woman Grandmaster! A huge achievement and a proud moment for Irish chess! Well done, Trisha!

We are now looking for more women to join the Irish Chess Union Women’s Committee!
If you would like to help grow women’s chess in Ireland, whether you are passionate about college chess, junior chess, primary or secondary school initiatives, or simply want to share your ideas for the wider women’s chess community, we would love to have you on board.
Whether you are a parent, a coach, or an active or inactive player, we’re happy to have you. Email us at

The Irish Women's Chess Championship 2025 entries close Thursday 23 October 23:59. Challengers entries close Friday 24 October 18:00. Entries by Thursday 23 October 12:00 for personalized name card.

One week to go until The Inaugural Irish Women’s Chess Festival 2025 and The Irish Women's Chess Championship 2025! Enter here.

We are inviting you for the our new Junior Open Tournament (participants are limited by age only):

• 1st Cork Junior U10 Chess Championship (Rapid) for the Joe Brown Trophy
• 1st Cork Junior Chess Open Championship (U14, U19) for the Maurice J. Coveney, and Philip Short Trophy
• 1st Cork Junior Chess Girls Championship (U19 Girls only) for Kate Belinda Finn Trophy

Antonina Gora, former Irish Women's Champion, will visit Skerries CC on Tue 21 Oct to give coaching aimed at beginners and club players and to promote the upcoming Irish Women's Chess Festival. Details and Entry for coaching.

Thanks to Vitalii Salmin, we now have a home page focussing on women's and girl's chess. Check out the link on the left hand side.