Mallaghan and Murphy win in Limerick

Danny Mallaghan scooped the Irish Intermediate (under 1800) Chess Championship at Limerick University campus, while Cathal Murphy claimed a 4 way share of second place in the Irish Junior (under 1500).

Mallaghan was unbeaten finishing on 4.5 from 5 games, and had wins against Len Hackett and Carl Jackson. Cecil Sloan made the trip from England and finished with 2.5 in the same section. Murphy continuing his winning ways down south after a joint second in the recent Drogheda Congress, finishing on 4 wins in a 36 player tournament.

CJ was beaten only once by the eventual winner in the under 1500 section, 1475 rated Jacob Miller , and won two of his games from a piece down; refusing a draw against Sean Hunter when spotting a Knight  sack and 3 move mate in an sharp Guocco Piano. In sweltering conditions and record temperatures in the University gymnasium, Cathal's final game, a 72 move marathon win on black against Maurice Coveney was the last game to finish, while Danny's last game a 100 plus move epic against Mandaugas Janusaitis was the penultimate game to finish ending in a draw. Both games were watched to a finish by the gathering throng of chess players taking part in all sections including the Open and Weekend Seniors.

Martin Kelly made up the Ulster quartet, but alas Martini wasn't able to build on his joint third showing at Drogheda, as he finishing on 3 from 5 and out of the prizes in the junior section.

All results and cross tables are available on

http://www.ulchess.com/Intermediate/ and http://www.ulchess.com/Junior/