World Youth U16 Chess Olympiad – Final Day report

Paul Higgins


South Africa I 2.5 : 1.5 Ireland

For the second day in a row, we had hopes heading into our match, this time against the No. 1 South African team. Unfortunately, we came up a little short. First to finish was Danny who was on the receiving end of a sharp tactical attack. However at this stage we were still ok in the three remaining games. Michael's game was starting to getting very sharp, and Geoffrey was pressing hard for an advantage. Next to finish was Diana. Her opponent won a pawn in the middle game and demonstrated good technique to secure the point. By now Geoffrey had gone a pawn up in the endgame and seemed on course for victory. Unfortunately, his opponent found a resource to sacrifice his remaining rook to secure a passed pawn that Geoffrey couldn't stop. A draw by perpetual check was all we could get. Last to finish (and third last in the hall) was Michael's game. His endgame seems to go back and forth, until finally he was left with two rooks for his opponents 6 pawns. Victory was secured.

Overall, Iran fell at the last hurdle and were pipped by winners India, and runners up Russia.

Day 9

Ireland 0.5 : 3.5 Kyrgyzstan

Today we faced Kyrgyzstan. While on paper they were stronger, we did harbour thoughts of an upset. Sadly it wasn't to be. Michael and Geoffrey on boards 2 and 3 were first to lose. Michaels opponent was rated 1945 and while Geoffrey's opponent was unrated, his performance rating for this tournament has been over 1900. Even at this stage we were still well placed to get something out of the match. Danny on board 4 was two pawns up heading into the endgame and Cian was started to attack his opponent. Slowly things slipped against. Danny's opponent played better than her rating to find drawing resources. Cian's game got very tactical as his opponent was forced to sacrifice a rook to save his king but also launching an attack of his own. I suspect that at some stage Cian was winning but with time slipping away for both of them, the game became very complicated as Cian was forced to give back material. Sadly we lost.

Tomorrow we play the Number 1 South African team in the final round.

Day 8

Poland II 3.5 : 0.5 Ireland

As expected, today turned out to be a tough day with our opponents all rated over 2000. First to finish was Danny. His opponents launched the sort of attack that Danny has been so successful with in recent games. Sadly he was on the receiving end for once, and resigned after 32 moves. Next to finish was Diana who followed up her draw yesterday with another solid game to give us half a point. Sadly at this stage both Cian and Michael were under pressure on the board and on the clock, and there was no real hope of a match result. They both battled for nearly 4 hours but ultimately were defeated in 65 and 58 moves respectively.

Next up, Kyrgyzstan. We will be outrated on the top three boards by an average of 200 points but we have a chance.

Day 7

Canada II 2.5:1.5 Ireland

After the rest day, we had two tough rounds today with both opponents outrating us. Canada 2 were the first team up, outrating us by an average of 200 points on the top three boards; only on board 4 did we have an advantage on paper. As it was Danny was first to finish. After castling on opposite sides, his innocent looking attack on his opponent’s king rapidly became winning due to his perseverance and a few inaccuracies from his opponent. Next to finish was Cian on board one. His game simplified down into a rook and pawn ending and a draw was agreed. That left us on 1.5 needing a least a draw to get something from the game. Geoffrey and Diana, boards 3 and 2, were relatively equal and hopes were high. Sadly both games went against us as tight endgames went to the Canadians. A credible loss, but we so nearly got an excellent result.

Ireland 2.5:1.5 Transdanubium West (Hungary VI)

In the afternoon we faced one of the Hungarian teams, again facing a big ratings difference to overturn. As in the morning, we scored early on Board 4. This time Geoffrey won a nice game to continue his good form. Next to finish was Michael who seemed level for a long time until his opponent’s queen managed to get behind his defences and collect a couple of pawns. Resignation followed just before the four hour mark. Cian and Diana were both in endgames and all players were down to relatively little time. First to finish was Cian who won a tidy endgame to secure at least a draw in the match. His rating performance is now 2237, an excellent set of results. Diana finished shortly thereafter getting a well-deserved draw that earned us the match win.

The win maintains the team at 50%, and we are now ranked 27th of the 54 teams. The reward for our good results is a match with Poland 2 tomorrow. While we don’t have their team sheet yet, all their squad are rated over 2000 so a challenging day beckons.

Overall the tournament is very tough but our players have enjoyed the team element and tracking how they are doing relative to the various other teams. It is very well run, very well laid out, as one team member said "feels like being a professional".

Day 6 Rest Day

Day 5

Ireland 2:2 Scotland

More challenging day after two recent victories. We were outrated on the top three boards by Scotland but had hopes of an upset. As it was, we collected an early win on the bottom board where Danny outranked his opponent by a couple of hundred points and he made it tell. On board 2, Michael got into an awkward position suffering from a pin on the kingside. He never really got his pieces into the game and pawns started to drop and with it the game. Geoffrey’s game seemed on a knife edge since he had a better position but a lot less time. However he managed to promote a pawn in the middle game (not sure whether his opponent miscalculated) and his second queen lead to a swift resignation. Last to finish was Diana on board 1. She looked to have a slight edge throughout most of the game but it slipped away as the endgame was played with little time on both their clocks. So in the end, two wins on board 3 and 4 secured a draw. Probably a fair result.

Rest day tomorrow. Thursday is the second double day with Canada II (rating average 2075) first up at 9am Irish time.

Day 4

Finland 1:3 Ireland

Very good day with victory over Finland 3-1. First to finish was Danny who blitzed his opponent in 21 moves. His opponent had the good grace to resign having dropped a rook after a sequence of exchanges. Next to finish was Cian. He knew the opening well and was above his starting time after 20 moves thanks to the 30 second increment. He got a good draw against his 2108 rated opponent. That left us on 1.5 needing Geoffrey or Diana to garner a further point for victory. Both matches looked very equal for a long time. Out of very little Geoffrey managed to create a kingside attack that eventually saw him break through. He emerged an exchange up. Diana’s game started to get interesting when her opponent fashioned a pass pawn in the middle of the board. However Diana defended well and managed to create good counter play at a key stage. Her game ended up in a rook a pawn ending that was finally agreed a draw after nearly 4 hours. Meanwhile Geoffrey was patiently pushing his advantage home albeit it took a while as his opponent made him prove he knew how to mate with king and queen vs king.

Scotland tomorrow including familiar faces from previous Glorney-Gilberts.

Day 3

Slovakia West 4:0 Ireland

Ireland 4:0 South Korea II

Day 3 featured a double round. In the morning we were outrated on all boards against Slovakia West. Cian was unable to follow up on the heroics of yesterday and under time pressure was squeezed out. The next game to finish was Michael’s, a typical King Indian with attacks on opposite wings. Unfortunately when the dust settled, white had a little extra material and converted. Danny gave everything in his first match, but despite the opposite coloured bishops ending and his opponent being short of time, he was unable to hold out against a couple of extra pawns. Diana for the second day in a row had a great game and went an exchange up. Unfortunately, both players ran very short of time and the game slipped from her grasp. Sadly a 4-0 loss.

The afternoon saw us playing the South Korea 2 team. On paper, we were expected to win but we were nervous of the ratings of players who have travelled half way around the world. As it was, it went to form. Cian was first to finish, winning efficiently on board one. Danny’s game featured a successful queen sacrifice for three pieces which produced a decisive advantage. Michael’s game also featured a rook sacrifice which his opponent correctly left alone. However victory for Ireland followed quickly. Last to finish was Geoffrey who was a piece up for a long time and converted to close out a 4-0 victory.

A good day overall.

Day 2 Ireland 1:3 Croatia

A great day for Cian McGovern Leahy, beating a 2300 FM. Cian played his last 15 moves with approx. 1-2 minutes on his clock and did really well. Diana Mirza had a very strong match, looking like a draw until confusion of the clock meant she lost on time. Michael Higgins played the start of the middle game a little ambitiously when caution was required. While his opponent didn't execute perfectly, he won well. Geoffrey Keating had a great start and had a chance to take a clear advantage. He missed it and the next move his opponent launched a long sacrificial attack ultimately going two minor pieces down. Computers had it a draw but it required Geoffrey to find the right move every time. Sadly time pressure intervened and he missed the 7th required move.

The hall (complete with airport scanners) is a great venue. Best we’ve seen.

Tomorrow is a new day.

Reports by Paul Higgins

Day 1 Travel Day and opening ceremony

The team arrived safe and sound Friday afternoon in Bratislava and got a bus to Gyor from the airport. After booking in to Hotel Rába and dinner, it was off to the opening ceremony at 20:00. It was well done, particularly the dancers representing all the chess pieces.

From a report by Geoffrey Keating


Created 2014-12-20 ◦ Last updated 2014-12-22 ◦ Editor BT


New Search
© 2004-2024 Irish Chess Union ● Contact UsPrivacy Policy