A brilliant tournament - face to face play at the Ulster Championships 2021

We had a top section enriched by the presence of FM Tom O'Gorman and Alice O'Gorman. With previous Ulster Champions: Steve Scannell, Daniil Zelenchuk and Thomas Donaldson. Top Ulster players Danny Roberts, Gareth Annesley and new to Ulster Mandar Tahmankar we were in for some brilliant chess.

Its always a little tense at the start of a new tournament and with Covid and extra rules about distancing and wearing masks and checking we had everyone pre-registered with contact info. Then comes the day and assistants arrive early to setup - Ross and Dexter Harris and Adrian Dornford-Smith. The clocks are out and the pieces set out and cleaned with disinfectant and registration of players begins. We have a desk outside at the front door. Players arrive and brilliantly no-one is missing and our draw is good. Everyone is told to wear a mask and for players without one, one is provided. Hand gel is provided for each table.

We have two sections the Intermediates being low in numbers is merged with the Juniors - which gives the Juniors an opportunity to play and possibly beat an Intermediate player and the younger players with their ratings on the up are just the players todo that.

The top section is rich with talent with FM and current Irish Champion Tom O'Gorman heading the list. We also have several previous Ulster Champions and the current Champion Daniil Zelenchuk. Also added to the mix is a new comer to Ulster Chess Mandar Tahmankar a strong player orginally from India but working most recently in Singapore and now luckily for us living in Ulster.

Everyone was welcomed and due to a clash of rooms we had some spin class with music just outside the side doors for the first 15mins of the first game. This was explained with an apology. The covid rules were repeated - Once games were over players were to give their results in and then leave the room and players were not to watch other games but if they needed to stretch their legs were to go outside by the side doors. Masks were to be worn at all times in the playing room and the building.

There was almost hush (the music from the spin class!) and the games started. 15 mins later their was hush and the focused concentration of players playing chess - beautiful......

We have a players committee of the top players: Tom O'Gorman FM , Steve Scannel, Mandar Tahmankar and Daniel Roberts.

and an Abiters advice panel made up of Abiters : Ross Harris and Adrian Dornford-Smith

Round 1 Intermediate/Juniors

Table	White	Score	Black	Score	Results
10	Robert Lavery	0	Sett Podean	0	1-0
11	Adrian Dornford-Smith	0	Gatis Barbals	0	0-1
12	Cathal Murphy	0	Adam Rushe	0	0-1
13	James Wong	0	Andrew Todd	0	1/2
14	Dr Mohamed Saad	0	Calum Glendinning	0	0-1
15	Dexter Harris	0	Amol Mohan Thoke	0	1/2
16	Pat McKillen	0	Harry Cummins	0	1-0
17	Cónal Boyle	0	Paddy Magee	0	1-0
18
-	Chris Armstrong	0			0.5 bye
-	Michael Wong	0			0.5 bye
-	Matthew Moreland	0			1 bye(PA)

A few upsets Adam Rushe beats Cathal Murphy, James Wong draws against Andrew Todd and Dexter Harris draws against Amol Mohan Thoke, Conal Boyle beats Paddy Magee. Going to show that the juniors are gaining results against the Intermediate players. Theres no such thing as an easy game and the section is tough.

Round 1 The Seniors

Table	White	Score	Black	Score	Results
1	Tom O'Gorman	0	Simon Marcu	0	1-0
2	Mahendra Singh	0	steve Scannell	0	1/2
3	Mandar Tahmankar	0	Karina Kruk	0	1-0
4	Chris Kelly	0	Thomas Donaldson	0	0-1
5	Daniil Zelenchuk	0	Oisin O Cuilleanain	0	1-0
6	Des Moreland	0	Gareth Annesley	0	0-1
7	Alice O'Gorman	0	Conor Spackman	0	1/2
8
-	Daniel Roberts	0			0.5 bye
-	Ross Harris	0			0.5 bye

Some upsets in the senior section. With draws between Conor Spackman (the previous Intermediate Champion - hence playing up a section) and Alice O'Gorman and Mahendra Singh and Steve Scannell. I overheard Conor and Alice discussing their game sounded very interesting both having good insight into the position. Alice is also a chess coach so I imagine Conor was taking an opportunity to get a more detailed analysis of the positions.

Round 2 Intermediate/Juniors

Table	White	Score	Black	Score	Results
10	Adam Rushe	1	Robert Lavery	1	0-1
11	Gatis Barbals	1	Cónal Boyle	1	1-0
12	Matthew Moreland	1	Pat McKillen	1	0-1
13	Calum Glendinning	1	Chris Armstrong	0.5	1/2
14	Amol Mohan Thoke	0.5	James Wong	0.5	0-1
15	Michael Wong	0.5	Dexter Harris	0.5	0-1
16	Sett Podean	0	Dr Mohamed Saad	0	1-0
17	Paddy Magee	0	Adrian Dornford-Smith	0	1-0
18
-	Cathal Murphy	0			0.5 bye
-	Andrew Todd	0.5			0.5 bye
-	Harry Cummins	0			1 bye(PA)

Calum continues to get results this time drawing against Chris Armstrong. Robert Lavery the favourite - although sometimes this is a mixed blessing as all the pressure is on you - leads with two wins, sharing the led with Pat Mckillen and Gatis Barbals also on two.

Round 2 Seniors

Table	White	Score	Black	Score	Results
1	Thomas Donaldson	1	Tom O'Gorman	1	0-1
2	Gareth Annesley	1	Mandar Tahmankar	1	0-1
3	steve Scannelll	0.5	Daniil Zelenchuk	1	1-0
4	Daniel Roberts	0.5	Mahendra Singh	0.5	1/2
5	Ross Harris	0.5	Alice O'Gorman	0.5	0-1
6	Conor Spackman	0.5	Simon Marcu	0	1-0
7	Karina Kruk	0	Des Moreland	0	0-1
8	Oisin O Cuilleanain	0	Chris Kelly	0	0-1

Mahendra Singh is playing well with a draw against Daniel Roberts, he goes into round 3 undefeated with 2 draws. New comer to Ulster Mandar continues with a win against Gareth Annesley to have a full score of two points as does favourite Tom O'Gorman (FM). Defending Champion Daniil Zelenchuk draws against multiple Champion Steve Scannell. Conor Spackman wins against Simon Marcu in a game that had several discussions with the Abiter and players and Abiters panel about the rules of Queening a pawn.

Round 3 Intermediate/Juniors

Table	White	Score	Black	Score	Results
10	Robert Lavery	2	Gatis Barbals	2	1-0
11	Pat McKillen	2	James Wong	1.5	0-1
12	Dexter Harris	1.5	Calum Glendinning	1.5	1/2
13	Chris Armstrong	1	Adam Rushe	1	1/2
14	Andrew Todd	1	Matthew Moreland	1	1-0
15	Harry Cummins	1	Paddy Magee	1	0-1
16	Cónal Boyle	1	Sett Podean	1	0-1
17	Amol Mohan Thoke	0.5	Cathal Murphy	0.5	0-1
18	Dr Mohamed Saad	0	Michael Wong	0.5	1-0
-	Adrian Dornford-Smith	0			1 bye(PA)

The end of Saturday. The weather was beautiful. The venue was a little warm. Windows and doors fully opened and so good that feeling of seeing Chess played face to face. Intelect against Intelect. Chess at its best. The tactile pieces being moved across the boards. The holding of breath as you spot a weakness in your own camp. The smile hidden behind the mask of a possible plan. Adam Rushe draws against Chris Armstrong. The Junior section is doing well. James Wong beats Pat McKillen. Robert Lavery goes into the lead with 3 out of 3, beating second cede and previous Intermediate Winner Gatis Barbals.

,

Round 3 Seniors

Table	White	Score	Black	Score	Results
1	Tom O'Gorman	2	Mandar Tahmankar	2	1-0
2	Alice O'Gorman	1.5	steve Scannelll	1.5	1-0
3	Daniil Zelenchuk	1	Conor Spackman	1.5	1-0
4	Chris Kelly	1	Daniel Roberts	1	0-1
5	Des Moreland	1	Thomas Donaldson	1	0-1
6	Mahendra Singh	1	Gareth Annesley	1	0-1
7	Karina Kruk	0	Ross Harris	0.5	1/2
8	Simon Marcu	0	Oisin O Cuilleanain	0	1-0

The two top cedes meet. Tom and Mandar. Tom wins and is now out right leader.

Round 4 Intermediate/Juniors

Table	White	Score	Black	Score	Results
10	James Wong	2.5	Robert Lavery	3	1/2
11	Gatis Barbals	2	Dexter Harris	2	1/2
12	Paddy Magee	2	Andrew Todd	2	0-1
13	Calum Glendinning	2	Pat McKillen	2	1-0
14	Sett Podean	2	Adam Rushe	1.5	0-1
15	Cathal Murphy	1.5	Chris Armstrong	1.5	1-0
16	Matthew Moreland	1	Dr Mohamed Saad	1	0-1
17	Adrian Dornford-Smith	1	Harry Cummins	1	1-0
18	Michael Wong	0.5	Cónal Boyle	1	0-1
-	Amol Mohan Thoke	0.5			1 bye(PA)

James Wong gets a brilliant draw against favourite Robert Lavery. Going into the final round the Junior Championship is up for grabs with James Wong and Calumn Glendinning on 3 points being chased by Adam Rushe and Dexter Harris on 2 1/2 points. The intermediates is lead by Robert Lavery on 3 1/2 points chased by Andrew Todd on 3 points and Gatis Barbals and Cathal Murphy on 2 1/2 points.

Round 4 Seniors

Table	White	Score	Black	Score	Results
1	Alice O'Gorman	2.5	Tom O'Gorman	3	0-1
2	Mandar Tahmankar	2	Daniil Zelenchuk	2	1-0
3	Thomas Donaldson	2	Daniel Roberts	2	1-0
4	Gareth Annesley	2	Conor Spackman	1.5	1-0
5	steve Scannelll	1.5	Chris Kelly	1	1-0
6	Simon Marcu	1	Des Moreland	1	1-0
7	Ross Harris	1	Mahendra Singh	1	1/2
8	Oisin O Cuilleanain	0	Karina Kruk	0.5	1-0

Alice plays Brother Tom and Tom wins. Tom goes into the final round with full points. Mandar continues to defeat previous Ulster Champions and wins against Daniil Zelenchuk. Thomas Donaldson puts his hat in the ring for the Championship by beating Danny Roberts.

The final Round: Intermediate/Juniors

Table	White	Score	Black	Score	Results
10	Andrew Todd	3	Robert Lavery	3.5	1/2
11	James Wong	3	Calum Glendinning	3	1/2
12	Adam Rushe	2.5	Gatis Barbals	2.5	1-0
13	Dexter Harris	2.5	Cathal Murphy	2.5	1-0
14	Dr Mohamed Saad	2	Paddy Magee	2	1-0
15	Pat McKillen	2	Sett Podean	2	1-0
16	Cónal Boyle	2	Adrian Dornford-Smith	2	1-0
17	Chris Armstrong	1.5	Amol Mohan Thoke	1.5	1-0
18	Harry Cummins	1	Matthew Moreland	1	0-1
-	Michael Wong	0.5			1 bye(PA)

With a draw against Andrew Todd, Robert Lavery takes the overall lead with an unbeaten 4 out of 5 points. But who will win the Juniors? We have Calumn and James drawing on board 11. Whilst from behind Adam Rushe and Dexter Harris win their games against Intermediate players Gatis Barbals and Cathal Murphy. and we have 4 Juniors on 3 1/2 points and only beaten in points by Robert Lavery the new Intermediate Champion. Some excellent results for our younger players.

The Final round: Seniors

Table	White	Score	Black	Score	Results
1	Tom O'Gorman	4	Gareth Annesley	3	1-0
2	Mandar Tahmankar	3	Thomas Donaldson	3	1-0
3	Daniel Roberts	2	steve Scannelll	2.5	1/2
4	Daniil Zelenchuk	2	Alice O'Gorman	2.5	0-1
5	Mahendra Singh	1.5	Simon Marcu	2	1/2
6	Conor Spackman	1.5	Ross Harris	1.5	1/2
7	Des Moreland	1	Oisin O Cuilleanain	1	0-1
8	Chris Kelly	1	Karina Kruk	0.5	1/2

Tom O'Gorman FM wins the tournament unbeaten. An excellent game against Gareth Annesley where he gave the exchange for an advantage. Mandar Tahmankar wins again. Alice wins against Daniil. Chris Kelly gets a good draw against Karina Kruk. What a brilliant and tough section.

The Standings: Intermediate/Juniors

Rank	PNo	Name	Score	Buchholz-HiLo	Buchholz	PS	Rating	TPR Mixed
1	1	Robert Lavery	4	5.5	15	13.5	1645	1600
2	13	James Wong	3.5	5.5	15	11	1209	1578
3	14	Calum Glendinning	3.5	4	15.5	11	1200	1502
4	12	Adam Rushe	3.5	4	13.5	9.5	1214	1678
5	15	Dexter Harris	3.5	4	10.5	10	1101	1513
6	5	Andrew Todd	3.5	3	13.5	10	1527	1475
7	8	Pat McKillen	3	4	11	10	1373	1190
8	18	Cónal Boyle	3	2.5	9.0	8	975 *	1372
9	6	Dr Mohamed Saad	3	1	10	6	1524 *	1226
10	2	Gatis Barbals	2.5	5	15.5	10	1593	1239
11	4	Chris Armstrong	2.5	3	13	7	1559	1350
12	3	Cathal Murphy	2.5	2	12.5	7	1587	1319
13	10	Sett Podean	2	2.5	16.5	7	1259 *	1274
14	19	Matthew Moreland	2	2.5	12	6	920 *	1163
15	9	Paddy Magee	2	2.5	11.5	7	1352 *	1185
16	11	Adrian Dornford-Smith	2	0.5	9.0	5	1259	1037
17	7	Amol Mohan Thoke	1.5	1.5	13	4.5	1400 *	1042
18	16	Michael Wong	1.5	1	12.5	3.5	1038	400
19	17	Harry Cummins	1	1	9.5	4	1000	426

Ulster Junior Champion : James Wong

Junior 2nd : Calum Glendinning

Junior 3rd : Adam Rushe

Grading Prize under 1150 : Dexter Harris

Intermediate Ulster Champion: Robert Lavery

Intermediate 2nd : Andrew Todd

Intermediate 3rd : Dr Mohamed Saad

The standings: Seniors

Rank	PNo	Name	Score	Buchholz-HiLo	Buchholz	PS	Rating	TPR Mixed
1	1	Tom O'Gorman	5	5.5	16	15	2368	2753
2	3	Mandar Tahmankar	4	5	14	12	2077	2236
3	8	Alice O'Gorman	3.5	4	14	10.5	1907	2104
4	5	Thomas Donaldson	3	4	14	10	1970	2038
5	7	Gareth Annesley	3	3.5	14	10	1926	1994
6	2	steve Scannelll	3	3.5	11.5	9	2110	1965
7	4	Daniel Roberts	2.5	3.5	12	8	1980	1923
8	9	Simon Marcu	2.5	1.5	12	5.5	1883	1841
9	6	Daniil Zelenchuk	2	4	14.5	8	1967	1806
10	16	Conor Spackman	2	2.5	13	7	1629	1805
11	10	Mahendra Singh	2	2.5	13	6	1872	1848
12	13	Ross Harris	2	1.5	11	5.5	1702	1703
13	14	Oisin O Cuilleanain	2	0.5	8.0	3	1669	1729
14	12	Chris Kelly	1.5	1.5	11.5	4.5	1740	1747
15	15	Des Moreland	1	2	11.5	4	1665 *	1600
16	11	Karina Kruk	1	0.5	10.5	2	1751	1531

Uster Championship 1st : Tom O'Gorman FM

Ulster Championship 2nd : Mandar Tahmankar

Ulster Championship 3rd : Alice O'Gorman

Ulster Senior Champion 2021 : Thomas Donaldson ( this is the Second time Thomas has been Champion).

With the Prize giving I thanked all the players who travelled up from Dublin they enriched the tournament. All the sections were tough and a challenge to play in. The Juniors did particularly well. Also thanks were given to the brilliant venue the NICS Pavilion and its excellent staff. The helpers Adrian Dornford-Smith and Ross Harris without whoms help the tournament wouldnt have been possible. and last thanks to all the players as I believe the ideal of chess is to face your opponent look them in the eye and play the game. Today was the first weekend tournament the Ulster Chess Union has run since Covid and it was a beautiful sight to see and be part of so thanks to all the players for making this happen.

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