The 2015 edition of the Irish Women’s Championships took place over February 6th & 7th in Dublin Chess Club. The 11 participants included defending Champion Gearóidin Uí Laighléis WFM, top seed Monika Gedvilaite WFM and some strong junior players, most notably the second seed Diana Mirza WCM.
The event was supported by two of the ICU’s partners, AwardsandGifts.ie and WholesaleChess.co.uk.
Round 1
Round 1 was a small upset on Board 1 were Monika Gedvilaite was unable to overcome her opponent Mercedes Plaza-Reino.
In an endgame scramble Suzanne Barry blundered her queen to Hannah Lowry-O’Reilly to gift her the win. The two family affairs went to the seeded players.
Round 1 - Results
| Board | White | Result | Black |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monika Gedvilaite | 0.5-0.5 | Mercedes Plaza Reino |
| 2 | Eibhia Ni Mhuireagain | 0-1 | Diana Mirza |
| 3 | Gearoidin Ui Laighleis | 1-0 | Aisling Ni Laighleis |
| 4 | Suzanne Barry | 0-1 | Hannah Lowry-O'Reilly |
| 5 | Alice O'Gorman | 1-0 | Pippa O'Gorman |
| - | Punitha Rynhart | BYE | - |
Round 2
With Monika being held to a draw in the first round, Diana Mirza faced Alice O’Gorman on Board 1. Mercedes drew again, this time with Eibhia Ni Mhuireagain in an even game.
Monika got back on track against Hannah Lowry-O’Reilly in a chaotic game.
Wins for both Diana & Gearóidin set up a third round clash were the two players with a 100% record would face each other in Round 3.
Round 2 - Results
| Board | White | Result | Black |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diana Mirza | 1-0 | Alice O'Gorman |
| 2 | Punitha Rynhart | 0-1 | Gearoidin Ui Laighleis |
| 3 | Hannah Lowry-O'Reilly | 0-1 | Monika Gedvilaite |
| 4 | Mercedes Plaza Reino | 0.5-0.5 | Eibhia Ni Mhuireagain |
| 5 | Aisling Ni Laighleis | 0-1 | Suzanne Barry |
| - | Pippa O'Gorman | BYE | - |
Round 3
A noticeable trend throughout the Championships was the number of time scrambles that occurred with several players playing off the 30 second increment for a significant portion of their games.
This trend continued on Board 1 in Round 3 were Diana gained a clear advantage in her endgame against Gearóidin with her interesting sacrifice providing enough of a challenge to Gearóidin, who ran out of time while trying to calculate her response. View Game.
Monika followed up her previous round with another victory against Punitha Rynhart, which meant that she would play Diana for the title of Irish Women’s Champion 2015 in the final round.
Round 3 - Results
| Board | White | Result | Black |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gearoidin Ui Laighleis | 0-1 | Diana Mirza |
| 2 | Monika Gedvilaite | 1-0 | Punitha Rynhart |
| 3 | Pippa O'Gorman | 0-1 | Hannah Lowry-O'Reilly |
| 4 | Alice O'Gorman | 0-1 | Mercedes Plaza Reino |
| 5 | Suzanne Barry | 0-1 | Eibhia Ni Mhuireagain |
| - | Aisling Ni Laighleis | BYE | - |
Round 4
In the final round the top two seeds met, with Diana only needing a draw to become the 2015 Irish Women’s Champion. Diana was unable to hang on and had to settle for joint 2nd with Mercedes who had a nice win over Gearóidin on Board 2.
In addition to the advertised prizes, the 2015 Irish Women’s Champion also won an invite to the 2016 South Wales Open with free entry and accommodation thanks to WholesaleChess.co.uk. The 2016 Irish Women’s Championships will take place in July along with the Irish Championships.
Round 4 - Results
| Board | White | Result | Black |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diana Mirza | 0-1 | Monika Gedvilaite |
| 2 | Mercedes Plaza Reino | 1-0 | Gearoidin Ui Laighleis |
| 3 | Eibhia Ni Mhuireagain | 0.5-0.5 | Hannah Lowry-O'Reilly |
| 4 | Punitha Rynhart | 0-1 | Alice O'Gorman |
| 5 | Pippa O'Gorman | 0-1 | Aisling Ni Laighleis |
| - | Suzanne Barry | BYE | - |
Final Standings
We would like to thank Dublin Chess Club & the United Arts Club for hosting the event, AwardsandGifts.ie for providing the excellent trophies, WholesaleChess.co.uk for the additional prize and to all those who participated.
Pictured (Left to Right): Diana Mirza WCM, Mercedes Plaza-Reino & 2015 Irish Women's Champion Monika Gedvilaite WFM.
| Rank | Name | Flags | Score | Fed. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | WFM Gedvilaite, Monika | Round Tower | 3.5 | IRL |
| 2= | Plaza Reino, Mercedes | Enniscorthy | 3.0 | IRL |
| 2= | WCM Mirza, Diana | St. Michaels | 3.0 | IRL |
| 4 | WFM Lowry-O'Reilly, Hannah | Dublin | 2.5 | IRL |
| 5= | Ni Mhuireagain, Eibhia | The Ross Chess Club | 2.0 | IRL |
| 5= | WCM Ui Laighleis, Gearoidin | Aer Lingus | 2.0 | IRL |
| 5= | Barry, Suzanne | Naomh Barrog | 2.0 | IRL |
| 5= | O'Gorman, Alice | Dun Laoghaire | 2.0 | IRL |
| 5= | Ni Laighleis, Aisling | Malahide | 2.0 | IRL |
| 10= | Rynhart, Punitha | 1.0 | IRL | |
| 10= | O' Gorman, Pippa | Dun Laoghaire | 1.0 | IRL |