Interesting Position

Tom reached this interesting position in one of his games in the Malahide Mellenium Tournament.

Can you find the best move?

Solution.

ENNIS TRIUMPH

Naomh Barróg Ennis team win Trophy and secure promotion to 2nd Division

A nail-biting, cliff-hanging final resulted in a 3.5 to 2.5 win for Naomh Barróg over Royal Lopez on the 1st April 2012. We needed four points to be absolutely sure of the trophy. Drogheda dropped half a point early on so that left us needing just 3.5 points. Early wins for us on boards 1 and 4, and things were looking good. Then we lost on boards 2 and 3. Now we needed 1.5 points from the remaining two games and both games looked drawish. In a sweet endgame manoeuvre Barry sacrificed two pawns to get a passed pawn and secure the win. The remaining game was drawn and we had the trophy. Now for the Heidenfeld!
Our winning team, including subs throughout the year, is:
Brian Gallagher, Sean Nolan, Stephen Kelly, Airidas Tolkus, Barry Plummer, Justin Corry, Tom Collins, Austin Blake, John O'Driscoll, Andrew O'Brien.
The O'Hanlon team finished with a flourish, beating Phibsboro 4/2 but, unfortunately, still demoted.

Christmas Blitz - photos

Some photos of Michael presenting the the Christmas Blitz prizes (Tom should have more soon).

Best Junior - Clare Gallagher & Cormac Graham

2nd Place - Katherine Bolger & Harry Howard 

1st Place -  Brian Gallagher

Christmas Blitz - results

We had our Christmas Blitz on Tuesday night with 21 participants. Thanks to all who attended for making it a fun and enjoyable night.

We used the same time-handicapping system work out by Sean Nolan last year and again it worked well with the top of the leader board throwing up a nice mix of players on different ratings.

Thanks to all those who helped out with setting up the tables and boards, refreshments, tidying up etc.

Winner (5 out of 5)
Brian Gallagher



2nd (Tie on 4 out of 5)
Harry Howard
Katherine Bolger (JNR)




Best Junior (Tie on 3 out of 5)
Cormac Graham
Clare Gallagher


Final Positions

NAME	Pos	Pts
Brian Gallagher	1	5
Harry Howard	2	4
Katherine Bolger (JNR)	2	4
Amos Walsh	4	3.5
Martin Molloy	4	3.5
Paul Douglas	6	3
Andrew O'Brien	6	3
Stephen Kelly	6	3
Airdas Tolkus	6	3
Cormac Graham (JNR)	6	3
Michael O'Dwyer	6	3
Clare Gallagher (JNR)	6	3
Suzanne Barry	13	2
Niall Mullen	13	2
Tom Collins	13	2
Scott Graham	13	2
John Forde	13	2
Patrick C Quinn	18	1
Ned Byrne	18	1
John O'Driscoll	18	1
Justin Corry	18	1

Cross Table

ID	NAME	Pts	1	2	3	4	5
6	Brian Gallagher	5	+18	+27	+26	+23	+3
10	Harry Howard	4	-23	+2	+17	+27	+26
15	Katherine Bolger	4	-1	+21	+24	+28	+9
2	Amos Walsh	3.5	=16	-10	+13	+12	+23
16	Martin Molloy	3.5	=2	+8	-23	+14	+24
1	Airdas Tolkus	3	+15	+19	-9	-26	+27
3	Andrew O'Brien	3	+17	-23	+19	+9	-6
8	Clare Gallagher	3	-19	-16	+18	+21	+28
9	Cormac Graham	3	+21	+28	+1	-3	-15
17	Michael O'Dwyer	3	-3	+13	-10	+19	+18
23	Paul Douglas	3	+10	+3	+16	-6	-2
26	Stephen Kelly	3	+13	+12	-6	+1	-10
12	John Forde	2	+24	-26	-27	-2	+21
19	Niall Mullen	2	+8	-1	-3	-17	+14
24	Scott Graham	2	-12	+BYE	-15	+13	-16
27	Suzanne Barry	2	+14	-6	+12	-10	-1
28	Tom Collins	2	+BYE	-9	+14	-15	-8
13	John O'Driscoll	1	-26	-17	-2	-24	+BYE
14	Justin Corry	1	-27	+18	-28	-16	-19
18	Ned Byrne	1	-6	-14	-8	+BYE	-17
21	Patrick C Quinn	1	-9	-15	+BYE	-8	-12

Naomh Barrog Christmas Blitz 2011

Naomh Barróg Christmas Chess Blitz

20^th December 2011

Venue:            Naomh Barróg Chess Club

Date:               20^th December 2011

Time:              7:30pm sharp until 10:00pm

Entries to:      Justin.corry@gmail.com (087-2432330).  Please enter in advance.

Entry:             Free

Open to:        

• Naomh Barróg Chess Club members

                       

• Members of Naomh Barróg Junior Chess Club (as selected by Martin Molly)

• Parents/Guardians of participating Juniors

• Friends of Naomh Barróg Chess Club e.g. former members.

Format:          5 round swiss tournament played over one night

Time control: 20 minutes for the match (time allocated to players according to their rating).

Prizes:             First, second and best junior.

Refreshments:           Mince Pies after tournament.

Joe Rafferty - An Appreciation

Joe was originally a member of the Caissa Chess Club, located in the White Horse Bar, Burgh Quay, Dublin 1. However, Joe wished to set up a more local chess club and, with the help of PC Quinn, he helped found Trinity Chess Club based in the Trinity Sports and Leisure cente in Donaghmede in 1982.

Joe was also a founder member of the Trinity Sports and Leisure centre and used his "good influence" to secure a small room located adjacent to the Squash Court for the chess club. This room was by no means generous in size and was probably the smallest chess venue in Dublin - if not the Country at the time! This room had no windows.

Nevertheless we all managed to squeeze in to it and we had some very enjoyable chess matches there. One drawback was that on the same night as our chess night an Aerobics class was held next door in the Squash court. This meant that we could hear all the hits of Madonna and the other stars of the time belted out on a ghetto-blaster while trying to concentrate on the chess. Certainly an intimidating atmosphere for any opposition!

From there we graduated to the back bar and then to the boardroom in the Trinity Sports & Leisure Centre with about a two year spell in the Baldoyle Youth club in between times.

Unfortunately a new Committee arrived in the Trinity Sports & Leisure Centre and we were no longer welcome in the Boardroom so it was a case of moving on. Again Joe used his good influence with a friend who was the caretaker of St. Kevin's School in Donaghmede to secure a playing venue. One drawback however was that we had to vacate the building when the caretaker arrived back at around 10.30 pm!

On one occasion I remember playing a League match and noticed the caretaker hovering around as it was getting late. I suggested to my opponent that we might adjourn the match which you could do at that time. He was initially reluctant to do this, but I had to explain to him that the lights would be going out shortly and that if he wanted to he could spend the night there. Needless to say he decided to adjourn the match.

Our stay in St. Kevin's School did not last long after that and we were on the move again. This time we managed to secure a room in Naomh Barrog GAA Club thanks to the goodwill of the Naomh Barrog Committee and soon after changed the name to Naomh Barrog Chess club.

Joe was a fully committed member of the chess club and very often was one of the few left at the end of the evening putting the chess equipment away. At that stage we would usually adjourn to the Bar upstairs where Joe enlivened the conversation and the craic.

Joe could always be relied on to get our chess stationery as he had a good contact that ensured we never ran short of chess score sheets,  

There was also a very human side to Joe which some people may not be aware of. If anyone needed help or if anything needed to be mended Joe was always on hand. He saw to it that the Club notice board was properly fixed, that Tom was taking garlic pills for his cough and that John Forde had something to cure his sinus problem. Joe was forever making life more livable for those around him.

I myself recall a period when, after surgery, I spent two weeks recovering in the Orthopaedic Hospital in Clontarf. Joe was a frequent visitor to see me. He used to bring fruit, sweets and a chess board and, to the amusement of the other patients, we had some entertaining chess matches.

I along with a lot of other people have very fond memories of Joe. 

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dilis.

Michael O'Dwyer

Treasurer

Naomh Barróg Chess Club 

Joe Rafferty RIP

JOE RAFFERTY (1941-2011)

Fond Remembrance

Ladder update 25/10/2011

Games played 25/10/11:
Andrew O’Brien 1 vs Amos Walsh © 0 (no change)
John Forde © 0 vs Harry Howard 1 (no change)
Austin Blake 0 vs Airidas Tolkus 1 ©
Martin Molloy, Paddy Doyle, Joe Rafferty, Tom Collins attended but were unable to play ladder games.

Ladder Positions 26/10/11:
Paul Douglas 700
Andrew O’Brien 700
Amos Walsh 927
Clare Gallagher 700
Martin Molloy 1084
Joe Rafferty 868
Harry Howard 1132
John Forde 949
Niall Mullen 1057
Paddy Doyle 1093
Airidas Tolkus 1597
Austin Blake 1152
John Carroll 1122
John O’Driscoll 1172
Tom Collins 1337
Sean Nolan 1681

Ladder Update 05/10/11

Games played 04/10/11:
Andrew O’Brien © 0 vs Paul Douglas 1 (no change); John Carroll (C) 0 vs Austin Blake; 1 Clare Gallagher 0 vs Amos Walsh © 1; Martin Molloy, Harry Howard, John Forde, Paddy Doyle, John O'Driscoll, Joe Rafferty, Tom Collins, Airidas Tolkus, and Sean Nolan attended but were unable to play ladder games.
Ladder Positions 05/10/11:
Paul Douglas 700; Andrew O’Brien 700; Amos Walsh 927; Clare Gallagher 700; Martin Molloy 1084; Joe Rafferty 868; Harry Howard 1132; John Forde 949; Niall Mullen 1057; Paddy Doyle 1093; Austin Blake 1152; John Carroll 1122; John O’Driscoll 1172; Airidas Tolkus 1597; Tom Collins 1337; Sean Nolan 1681.

Ladder update 28th September 2011

Games played 27/09/11:
Harry Howard (C) 1 John Ford  0
Amos Walsh (C)  0 Andrew O'Brien 1 (no change)
John O'Driscoll (C) 0 Austin Blake 1 (no change)
Paddy Doyle  ½ vs John Carrol (C) ½ (no change)
Martin Molloy (C) 1 Joe Rafferty 0

Player	Rating
Paul Douglas	700
Andrew O’Brien	700
Clare Gallagher	700
Martin Molloy	1084
Joe Rafferty	868
Amos Walsh	927
Harry Howard	1132
John Forde	949
Niall Mullen	1057
Paddy Doyle	1093
John Carroll	1122
Austin Blake	1152
John O’Driscoll	1172
Airidas Tolkus	1597
Tom Collins	1337
Sean Nolan	1681

Ladder Update 21st September 2011

Naomh Barrog Ladder 2011/2012

List of players 12/09/11
Paul Douglas (Opted)	700
Clare Gallagher (Opted)	700
Andrew O’Brien (Opted)	700
Joe Rafferty (Opted)	868
Amos Walsh (Opted)	927
John Forde (Opted)	949
Martin Molloy (Opted)	1084
Paddy Doyle (Opted)	1093
John Carroll (Opted)	1122
Harry Howard (Opted)	1132
Austin Blake (Opted)	1152
John O’Driscoll (Opted)	1172
Tom Collins (Opted)	1337
Airidas Tolkus (Opted)	1597
Sean Nolan (Opted)	1681

Games played 20/09/11:
Amos Walsh 1 John Ford (C) 0   (no change)
Airidas Tolkus (C)  1 Tom Collins 0
Andrew O’Brien (C)  1 Clare Gallagher 0
John Carroll (C)  ½ vs Martin Molloy ½ (no change)
Harry Howard (C) 1 Pat Doyle 0

New Positions
Paul Douglas	700
Andrew O’Brien	700
Clare Gallagher	700
Joe Rafferty	868
Amos Walsh	927
John Forde	949
Martin Molloy	1084
Harry Howard	1132
Paddy Doyle	1093
John Carroll	1122
Austin Blake	1152
John O’Driscoll	1172
Airidas Tolkus	1597
Tom Collins	1337
Sean Nolan	1681

Club Calendar 2011 - 2012

Naomh Barrog Chess Club - 2011-2012 Calendar

Date		Fixture
20 Sept. 2011	Tues	Club/Ladder Night
27 Sept. 2011	Tues	Club/Ladder Night
04-Oct-11	Tues	Club/Ladder Night
05-Oct-11	Weds	Ennis: St Benildus vs Naomh Barróg	Away
11-Oct-11	Tues	Club/Ladder Night
15-Oct-11	Sat	O’Hanlon: Naomh Barróg vs Cavan	Home
18-Oct-11	Tues	Ennis: Naomh Barróg vs Malahide	Home
25-Oct-11	Tues	Club/Ladder Night
01-Nov-11	Tues	O’Hanlon: Celbridge vs Naomh Barróg	Away
08-Nov-11	Tues	Bodley Cup: Naomh Barróg B vs Naomh Barróg A	B Home
12-Nov-11	Sat	Ennis: Drogheda v Naomh Barróg	Away
15-Nov-11	Tues	O’Hanlon: Naomh Barróg vs Dublin University	Home
19-Nov-11	Sat	Ennis: Naomh Barróg vs Longford	Home
22-Nov-11	Tues	Bodley Cup: Naomh Barróg A vs Jobstown	Home
24-Nov-11	Thurs	Bodley Cup: Inchicore vs Naomh Barróg B	Away
29-Nov-11	Tues	Bodley Cup: Naomh Barróg A vs Lucan	Home
01-Dec-11	Thurs	Ennis: Portmarnoch vs Naomh Barróg	Away
03-Dec-11	Sat	O’Hanlon: Curragh vs Naomh Barróg	Away
06-Dec-11	Tues	Bodley Cup: Naomh Barróg B vs Bray/Greystones B	Home
10-Dec-11	Sat	O’Hanlon: Naomh Barróg vs Drogheda	Home
13-Dec-11	Tues	Ennis: Naomh Barróg vs Dublin	Home
14-Dec-11	Weds	Bodley Cup: St Benildus B vs Naomh Barróg B	Away
15-Dec-11	Thurs	Bodley Cup: Inchicore vs Naomh Barróg A	Away
20-Dec-11	Tues	Xmas Blitz	See Note
Jan-12		1st Round of Club Championship to be completed before end of January	See Note
03-Jan-12	Tues	Club/Ladder Night
09-Jan-12	Mon	Ennis: Aer Lingus v Naomh Barróg	Away
10-Jan-12	Tues	Club/Ladder Night
11-Jan-12	Weds	O’Hanlon: Bray/Greystones vs Naomh Barróg	Away
17-Jan-12	Tues	Club/Ladder Night
24-Jan-12	Tues	O’Hanlon: Naomh Barróg  v Inchicore	Home
31-Jan-12	Tues	Club/Ladder Night
Feb-12		2nd Round of Club Championship to be completed before end of February
04-Feb-12	Sat	Ennis: Naomh Barróg  v Kilkenny	Home
07-Feb-12	Tues	O’Hanlon: Finglas vs Naomh Barróg	Away
13-Feb-12	Mon	Ennis: Elm Mount v Naomh Barróg	Away
14-Feb-12	Tues	Club/Ladder Night
21-Feb-12		Club/Ladder Night
28-Feb-12	Tues	O’Hanlon: Naomh Barróg  v Elm Mount	Home
Mar-12	Tues	3rd Round of Club Championship to be completed before end of March
03-Mar-12	Sat	O’Hanlon: Wicklow vs Naomh Barróg	Away
06-Mar-12	Tues	Ennis: Naomh Barróg  v Bray/Grewstones	Home
13-Mar-12	Tues	Club/Ladder Night
20-Mar-12	Tues	Club/Ladder Night
25-Mar-12	Sun	O’Hanlon: Naomh Barróg  v Phibsboro	Home/Neutral
25-Mar-12	Sun	Ennis: Elm Mount v Naomh Barróg	Away/Neutral
27-Mar-12	Tues	Club/Ladder Night
Apr-12		4th Round of Club Championship to be completed before end of April
03-Apr-12	Tues	Club/Ladder Night
10-Apr-12	Tues	Club/Ladder Night
17-Apr-12	Tues	Club/Ladder Night
24-Apr-12	Tues	Club/Ladder Night
May-12		5th + 6th Rounds of Club Championship to be completed before end of May
01-May-12	Tues	Club/Ladder Night
08-May-12	Tues	Club/Ladder Night
15-May-12	Tues	Club/Ladder Night
22-May-12	Tues	Club/Ladder Night
29-May-12	Tues	Club/Ladder Night
05-Jun-12		Club AGM

Notes
Bodley Cup and other home events will be added when details become available.

North Dublin Chess League - Final Night

The final night of the North Dublin Chess League took place on Tuesday 23rd August 2011 in Naomh Barrog Chess club. This league was organised by members of Naomh Barrog Chess club and used a new format which was deemed a success by the competitors. Players played in their clubs against opponents from near-by clubs on a round-robin basis. If the scheduled date or venue did not suit, the players contacted each other directly to arrange a new date and venue. Players used the league website to enter the results and rescheduled dates with the league table automatically updated.

The results were as follows

Pool A
1st - Sean Nolan (Naomh Barrog) & Miroslav Gallik
3rd - Shane Lee

Pool B
1st - Barry Plummer (Naomh Barrog)
2nd - Tom O'Sullivan
3rd - Justin Corry (Naomh Barrog)

Further details and a cross-table can be found here

Thanks from the organisers to the members of Naomh Barrog chess club for the use of their facilities on the final night.

This year was run on a pilot basis with a small ratings band. The plan for next year is to make the competition available to all ratings bands - details to follow.

Barrog players do well in Dublin City Open

Naomh Barrog Chess Club Players score in Dublin City Open

Six members of our Club members played in the recent Dublin City Open Tournament – one in the Majors (Justin Corry), three in the Challengers (Tom Collins, Stephen Kelly and Aridas Tolkus) and two in the Juniors (Joe Rafferty and Andrew O’Brien).

In the Challengers four players tied at the top with 5 out of 6 points. Two of the four were Naomh Barrog players Stephen Kelly and Aridas Tolkus. A tie-break gave first position to Aridas and runner-up to Stephen.

Andrew O’Brien in the Junior Section finished with a creditable 3 out of 6. After the third round he had scored 2.5 out of 3 - a very impressive score for someone who had never played in a Tournament or a competitive chess programme before.

While our remaining players didn’t score as many as they would have wished, they each enjoyed, and benefited from, what was an exciting and well organised event.

Good North Dublin Chess League showing

Two Naomh Barrog players scored well in this league. Barry Plummer won his section with 5 out of six. Sean Nolan shared first place in his section with 6 out of 7.

Proposed rules for ladder competition

Naomh Barrog Chess Club

LADDER RULES

1. The ladder will commence on first Tuesday in September after the new ICU grades appear and will end on the 1^st Tuesday of September the following year.  The person in 1st place on the ladder at that time will be the winner, person placed 2nd is runner-up and junior places as per Rule 16.

2. Initial positions are determined by reverse ICU ratings. Players with identical ratings will be arranged in alphabetical order.

3. You can challenge the person above you on the ladder, to a maximum of three places.

4. If you are the challenger and win, you take the defender’s place on the ladder.

    If you draw, positions remain the same.

    If you are the defender and lose, you go down one place on the ladder.

5. When you challenge someone and are defeated you cannot challenge that person again for three weeks.

6.  If you are challenged and defeated, you cannot challenge the person who defeated you for three weeks.

7. Players may only decline a challenge if:

   (a) It is contrary to these rules.

   (b) They have already accepted a challenge and are waiting for their opponent to arrive.

8. If your last two games were against a higher placed player then you can’t turn down the next challenge from a lower placed player.

9. Players may mutually arrange a game from the Friday before the next club night. When doing this, inform (text/email) the Ladder Controller before club night.

10. You may only play one game per week. All games to be played on club premises.

11. Players not attending the club for three weeks in a row (four weeks in July/August) will be dropped one place on the ladder. This rule does not apply on any night that a home LCU match is played.

12. Time control will be 1 hour each on the clock.

13. Players will draw for colours before each game.

14. ICU rules apply.

15.  Members must op-in to participate. Members who join after the ladder is started will be placed at the bottom of the ladder.

16.  There will be prizes for 1st, 2nd plus best Junior (under 1200) and 2^nd best Junior position (provided these Juniors have not already won 1^st or 2^nd place). Members must play a minimum of twelve games to qualify for a prize.

17. Results to be given to the Ladder Controller. Disputes will be arbitrated by the Ladder Controller. If the Ladder Controller is a participant in a dispute, the Club Secretary will arbitrate.

These rules are subject to change and additions.

2011 AGM

Naomh Barrog Chess Club AGM 2011 Report

The Club AGM was held on Tuesday 5^th July 2011.

Seventy-five percent of the current membership attended.

The O’Hanlon A and Killane Shield teams were congratulated on winning their trophies.

The Bodley team was congratulated on coming a creditable fourth in their league.

The O’Hanlon B team was congratulated on surviving relegation.

The organisers/controllers of the Autumn Swiss, Club Championship and Rapid Play competitions were thanked and congratulated.

The designer/administrator of our website (Sayuri Collins) was thanked and applauded for her skill in the presentation of the club’s affairs.

The Treasurer reported that, although we had spent a considerable sum on new tables and clocks last year, we still had a small surplus. However, fees for the LCU and ICU would shortly fall due, so payment of membership fees as soon as possible would be appreciated.

The Chairman (Martin Molloy), Secretary (Joe Rafferty), Treasurer (Michael O’Dwyer) and Team Selector (Sean Nolan) were each thanked for their work and re-elected by acclaim.

Decisions:

1. Start a Ladder Competition next autumn.
2. The 2012 Club Championship to be held between January and May.
3. Investigate having the Club Championship results graded.
4. Investigate compiling a database of played competition games.
5. Members to be guaranteed a minimum of three rated games during the winter leagues.

Naomh Barrog win Killane Shield

Naomh Barrog win Killane Shield

Naomh Barrog Chess Club secured their second trophy of 2011 by winning the Killane Shield final on Wednesday 22^nd June. They beat a strong Bray/Greystones side by 4 points to 2. Wins on boards 3 and 5 and draws on the remaining boards secured the prize. The winning team was Sean Nolan, Airidas Tolkus, Stephen Kelly, Barry Plummer, Tom Collins and John Carroll (Justin Corry played in previous rounds).

Bobby Fischer Against the World will be playing in IFI Dublin on the 15th of July.

Officially selected at Sundance Film Festival Bobby Fischer Against the World traces the Grand Master from child prodigy to Cold War hero to controversial recluse, with particular focus on the world-renowned victory over Spassky which transformed Fischer into an Icon. The film brings rare archival footage of Bobby as well as insightful interviews with Kasparov, Susan Polgar, Sam Sloan and Dr. Anthony Saidy.

The film is already drumming up plenty of national press interest as well as from publications Chess, Chessbase, New in Chess. While a recent London preview saw Magnes Carlsen and Gawain Jones in attendance. 

Club Championship Final Results

Naomh Barrog Chess Club

Championship 2011

(5 Rounds Swiss)

FINAL RESULTS

Results for Round 5 ­– 24^th/31^st May:

Sean Nolan ½, Stephen Kelly ½,

Justin Corry 1, John O’Driscoll 0,

Aridas Tolkus ½, Tom Collins ½,

Barry Plummer 1, Austin Blake 0,

 Paul Douglas 1, Mark Ansley 0,

John Carroll ½, Harry Howard ½,

Joe Rafferty 0, Neil Mullen 1,

Amos Walsh 1(W), Pat Stack 0,

John Ford, Martin Molloy and Paddy Doyle each receive a non-scoring  BYE.

Final Positions:

Stephen Kelly 4.5 (winner Senior Champion),

Justin Corry 4,

Sean Nolan  3.5,

Barry Plummer  3.5,

Aridas Tolkus  3,

John O’Driscoll 3 (winner Junior Champion),

Tom Collins 2.5,

Austin Blake 2.5,

Paul Douglas 2.5,

Paddy Doyle 2.5,

Martin Molloy 2.5,

Mark Ansley 2,

John Carroll 2,

Harry Howard 2,

Neil Mullen 2,

Amos Walsh 2,

John Ford  2,

Joe Rafferty 1,

Pat Stack 1

I’ll like to thank everyone for their participation and co-operation. There were a few blips due to end of season time limitations but we’ve learned valuable lessons for next year. Any suggestions for next year will be appreciated.

Regards

Tom Collins (Controller)

Killane Shield Final Date and Venue Changed

The Killane Shield Final against Bray/Greystones will now be played on 28 May 2011 in the Teachers Club 36 Parnell Square at 13.00. The prizes will be presented after the match.