You are here: Home Archives Ulster Chronicles 2003-2004 Season Spectator Slim Pickings for Bangor

Slim Pickings for Bangor

"Chess Notes" from County Down Spectator, 02 Mar 2004

Bunratty Chess Festival

The festival, held every February, is one of the highlights of the Irish chess season. With nearly 500 competitors in all sections, there was the usual attraction of several high profile players. This year, as part of the Grand Prix Circuit, the Masters section include 3 Grandmasters (GM) and 7 International Masters (IM).

Sadly there was no Ulster representation in the Masters section. Top seed was the inimitable Dr. John Nunn (GM), weighing in at a mighty 2617 ELO. In his first game, as Black, he was on the wrong end of a stunning attack by Irishman John Joyce (2271). Dr. John does not enjoy the best of records at Bunratty, and his first round capitulation effectively ended his tournament hopes.

Just showing how tough the top players found the going, Israeli GM Alon Greenfeld (2539) was downed in round 3 by Irish junior Matthew Dignam (2159); Dignam delivering mate with 5 seconds left.

19-year old English University student, Lorin D'Costa, a regular visitor to Bunratty for several years now, claimed top prize, scoring 5/6. Very composed at the board, Lorin dispatched several big names to win the championship.

Ulster Chess was well represented in the lower sections, 10 players in the Challengers, and 1 each in the Major and Minor sections. Perhaps the long journey south, together with the late night entertainment on offer affected the form, for only Damien Lavery (Bangor) managed to distinguish himself with a plus score (3.5/6).

Bangor junior players, Richard Morrow and David Grzymek, enjoyed their first taste of Bunratty's festive atmosphere, despite hard-times over the chess board. Richard was dumb-struck in his "friendly" blitz match against GM John Nunn when Richard's Queen suddenly vanished from the board after only a few moves.

Division 1

Thursday Club Night: Groomsport scored draws on all boards against Civil Service doing no favours for either themselves or Carnegie; no change at the bottom of the league.

After Carnegie's match this week against Clifton House, both Groomsport and Carnegie will have only one match left to complete the season. These final matches are due to be a Division event held in Civil Service with all teams participating in a massive 15 board play-off. Scheduled for the week of St. Patrick's Day, the fate of league winners and losers will be decided on the night.

Fisherwick are making a late, strong challenge on Clifton House as the season draws to a close. Division winners may well hinge on the play-off final; Clifton House meet Bangor Groomsport and Fisherwick take on RVH. As well as deciding league winners, the same matches will likely determine the order at the bottom of the league too. Barring changes in the league structure, Bangor are confident of at least one team remaining in Division 1 for next year.

Division 2

Winston had to postpone their match against RVH with 2 players absent.

Templar fell heavily to Fisherwick on Club Night, with 2 draws from Philip Todd (3) and Kevin Agnew (4). Martin Moorcroft (1), David Grzymek (2) ad Drew Ferguson (5) all lost.

This was the first defeat of the season for Martin Moorcroft. A sharp Birds opening was parried by Martin who used his Knights well to ward off the King side attack. Martin found several threatening moves and finally won a pawn to put Ian Davis under some pressure. But now under time pressure himself, Martin missed a move to put his King safe and Ian pounced to win a Knight. With some good combinational play Martin won another pawn but as the pieces were exchanged Ian's extra Bishop proved decisive. Martin took great heart from the game as he had never faced an f4 opening before, from such a strong opponent.

Drew Ferguson defended against an unusual b3 opening and succeeded in blocking Chris Millar's Bishop's control of the long diagonal from b2. Drew launched an intimidating attack down the King-side but mostly empty threats. Chris gained a 2 pawn advantage and when Drew forced himself into a material trade-off, not even the clock could save the game for Black.

Fixtures

This week Templar travel to Hillsborough. On Thursday's club night, Carnegie play their last game before the final divisional play-off against Clifton House, and Winston entertain Fisherwick.

Next week only Division 2 teams play: Templar travel short-handed to Fortwilliam and Winston entertain CIYMS.

Filed under: ,
News
Annual General Meeting Announcement This year's AGM will be hosted by Fruithill Chess Club, Monday 19th June, time 7:30pm. May 18, 2023
The final Childrens Chess afternoon took place on April 1st 2023 Methodist College hosted the 5th Childrens Chess this School year. With top young chess players having an afternoon of c... May 08, 2023
We had one of our largest Childrens Chess tournaments in March 2023 With some 45 youngsters we had a fantastic afternoon of chess at Methodist College on Saturday 11th March. With 6 rounds... May 07, 2023
The first Ulster Fischer Random Championship took place on Sunday 26th March 2023 18 players fought to see who would be crowned Ulster Fischer Random Champion at The Pavilion, Civil Service. The second ... May 07, 2023
City of Belfast 2023 - Results May 03, 2023
More news…
« May 2023 »
May
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
28293031
Upcoming Events
Week 5 : The Annual Summer Tournament at Civil Service Social Club: Weds 31st May The Summer Tournament is at Civil Service Social Club starting Wednesday 3rd May 2023 at the Maynard Sinclair Pavilion a... May 31, 2023 07:30 PM - 10:45 PM — NICS,Maynard Sinclair Pavilion, Stormont, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3TA
AGM 2022/2023 This year's event has been confirmed to be hosted by Fruithill Chess Club Monday 19th June (time TBC). You must be a ful... Jun 19, 2023 07:30 PM - 09:30 PM — Falls Bowling Club, 63 Andersonstown Road
FIDE Rated Ulster Championships 2023 Aug 26, 2023 - Aug 28, 2023 — Elmwood Hall, Queen’s University Belfast, Elmwood Mews, Belfast BT9 6BD
FIDE Rated City of Bangor Autumn Blitz Championship 2023 Sep 14, 2023 07:30 PM - 10:15 PM — Church of Ireland Parish Hall, 30 Main Street, Groomsport, County Down, BT19 6JR, Northern Ireland
FIDE Rated City of Bangor Congress 2023 Sep 23, 2023 10:00 AM - 05:00 PM — Church of Ireland Parish Hall, 30 Main Street, Groomsport, County Down, BT19 6JR, Northern Ireland
Upcoming events…