Half-term Holidays
Half-term holiday has been all too brief for our school children, but Hallowe'en did not mean a break from chess. Not only have some young players had their first match in the Belfast and District leagues, but many spent last weekend trying to qualify for the Ulster Schools' Championship.
The finals are around Christmas and two likely contenders for honours are featured in today's game:
- Howard Beckett has already won two quick-play intermediate titles at Derry and Bangor.
- while Gerald Kelly was third in last year's Ulster Schoolboy's Championship.
How hard Howard hangs on, but Gerard's great gusto makes me feel "gerry-atric" in comparison.
As I mentioned last week, the next School's Championship is, in fact, the Third Co.Down at the Teachers' Centre, Downpatrick on November 12 and 19 (ring M. Stone at Downpatrick 2870 for information).
Finally, a special mention of my "Alma mater", St. Malachy's College, is called for on its 150th anniversary. "Old boy" Paul Henry is an Irish national Master and former Irish Champion. But the college's chess club needs more pupils to join, if it is to recapture its former glory.
