Some fixtures!

After two years, we finally have some over-the-board fixtures! We have three Cup teams, with games starting next week as the Branagan A and Branagan B have away ties. Group winners and one best runner-up qualifies from the Branagan; eight of the nine teams qualify for the Killane quarters.

The fixtures tab has been updated. The club championship dates are provisional but should stay as noted, while the blitz grand prix dates will be added once the club re-opens.

On the subject of re-opening the club, the ICU have a quote for group insurance and have put a call for interested clubs; we’ve put our name in and are awaiting further info. Once the insurance is in place, the club can resume.

2019/20 fixtures

As things start to get back to normal, we can finally archive the (unfinished) 2019/20 fixtures and move ahead with the 2021/22 ones!

Schools update

Frank Scott sends an update on a recent schools friendly against CUS.

Weekenders are back!

Another sign that chess is returning to normal – a report from the Benildus involvement in the recent Ennis and Galway weekenders. Though they do show that we’ve now got a lengthy period of struggling against hugely under-rated players before ratings catch up after covid!

John Gibson RIP

The club was saddened to hear of the passing of John Gibson on Monday.

Intervarsities 2022

Mihailo and William were among the 120 competitors at the recent intervarsities – the picture opposite is a great one showing a particularly tense moment, with a familiar (or not!) face looking a bit aggrieved in the middle of it.

General update

The ICU have sent an update around upcoming tournaments as over-the-board chess resumes – that notice is published below. In terms of Dublin events, the main ones are the Bolger Cup and the St Patrick’s Weekend Festival, both of which are this month. Entry is open now on ICU.ie

With regards club nights, we are waiting on the ICU to finalise the group insurance policy for clubs which should be fairly soon, and we will be able to open up again, starting back with round 3 of the 2020 Blitz Grand Prix. A reminder of the standings is here. More news on that when we have it!