Roger Dodges Defeat
Ever since the 1972 Fischer-Spassky Worl Championship, the popularity of chess, especially among the young, has rocketed. Most schools have chess clubs, while most towns have clubs open to all ages, often using the library to meet in weekly. Two Belfast clubs are Fisherwick, Wilson House, Eglantine Avenue and CIYMS, Circular Road, off Holywood Road. Why not join a chess club now?
In last Saturday's St. Patrick's Minor (under-12) Tournament in Downpatrick, Fisherwick's Roger Beckett just dodged being deprived of the trophy by a last round defeat by Newcastle's Pat Carton. Both scored six out of a maximum seven points, but Roger won on a tie-break.
Joint third were Harry Ball (Fisherwick), Stephen McGrath (Downpatrick) and Newcastle's Rory Callan and Dara Carton. Local schoolgirl Ciara Burns, with 4 out of 7 points, won the girls prize.
Though too old to compete in Downpatrick, 14-year-pld Kieran Greer, the 1983 Co. Antrim Schools Open Champion, recently "rattled" A. Skelton to win a Team Olympiad Board prize.
Media
