Summary

Days 8 & 9

The final two games came in quick succession. Alice finished very strongly on 7/9 - unbeaten - and came 2nd in the U16 Styrian Open. Tom had a disappointing finish losing his last two matches. David finished well on 5 points and Gavin had a lovely win in the last round to finish on 4.5.

A tough tournament which everyone really enjoyed. It is set in a very small, sleepy town but has a great pool, friendly locals and a terrific ice cream parlour.

Day 7

Clouds gathered tonight but spirits were higher than yesterday. Tom had an early win with a very nice tactic involving two discovered attacks. Gavin was next out with a win - he took 5 pawns before his opponent resigned. David fought a strong battle with chances but was unfortunately beaten after a long game. Alice ended with a draw after dropping a pawn but holding the end game. 2.5 points was a great result today. 7 games played so far and everyone starting to tire but determined to finish strongly - 2 games to go.

Day 6

A sad camp tonight. Alice was the only player to score, beating her opponent comfortably with a big attack, going up two pawns and promoting to a queen. Tom, Gavin and David all lost their matches so team resolved to bounce back tomorrow.

Day 5

Another strong performance today with 3 points for Ireland.

Gavin was the first to win by pinning his opponent 's queen to his King. Tom settled for a draw having been up a pawn in a 3.Bb5+ Sicilian main line. Alice had a good position from the opening, lost a piece for 2 pawns and positional compensation and then won 2 pieces with a tactic and went on to win. David swapped off pieces early on and took a draw in the end game when low on time.

4 games to go and lots to play for.

Day 4

Three draws and a win for Ireland today. Tom beat Petrov, 1836 from Bulgaria, in a French position with a big attack on the G file. Alice played a four hour match against the top seed on board one and ended with a draw after having the initiative for most of the game. After a 3 hour battle, David and his opponent were both happy to take a draw. Gavin drew to Derevjanko in a Smith-Morra gambit in an opposite coloured bishop position. Sunshine is back - halfway stage tomorrow and the competition is strong. Tom back on board 1 tomorrow.

Day 3

Another 2.5 points for Ireland again today. Tom beat Pivec from Slovenia, gaining a positional advantage which he converted to a Benko like position, (though not down a pawn). His opponent had double e-pawns allowing Tom dominate the centre and so gain the win. David went 2 pawns up in the Advanced French, got 2 passed pawns promoting to a rook and a queen for mate. Alice was disappointed to end with a draw from a winning position and Gavin was beaten by 2nd seed WFM Schulze.

Storms have arrived tonight in Mureck - hoping for clear skies for tomorrow.

Day 2

A promising start in our matches today but unfortunately they did not convert into all the points we hoped for. Alice and Gavin both won - Alice getting a forced check mate after a strong opening and Gavin's opponent resigning as Gavin about to queen. Tom was ahead throughout his game, a pawn up, but had to settle for a draw after 4.5 hours. David felt he had the advantage in his game - another battle over 4 hours, against a player rated 1997 - until an unfortunate blunder at the end. The sun is shining and the team is in good spirits - ready to do battle again tomorrow.

Day 1

A strong first day for Ireland. Tom beat Barth, rated 1691, from Switzerland in the Kings Indian defence samisch variation with a nice mating tactic. Alice beat Engelmoien, rated 1100 from Austria by winning a piece with a tactic. David won a pawn against his 1200 rated Estonian opponent and went on to win in the endgame. Gavin unfortunately lost to 3rd seed, Maetzkow from Germany, in a tough game as Maetzkow is rated 500 points above him. Challenging games tomorrow with Tom and David both on board one and Alice on board two. Preparation for tomorrow underway.