The Irish Chess Union

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback for Drogheda Super Rapid KlimaX 2026. Your responses have been crucial in helping us chose the best dates, which we'll announce soon.

There's still time to enter the draw for free entry to this year's event by answering the survey:

https://forms.gle/Tr5JBtgU3o7ug8jz5

Draw will be done tomorrow and the winner announced at the Irish Rapid and Blitz Championships this Sunday.

Registration for the FIDE World U7-U17 Rapid and Blitz Championships 2026 is now open. Details here.

The 4th Fingal Open Championships will run in Skerries and clubs nearby (North and Central Dublin) on 5 nights from 19 Jan - 6 April 2027. Enjoy close games in small sections with players close to your rating, in comfortable playing conditions. ICU and FIDE rated.

See Event page to Enter early for €40 by 12 Dec and for more details of the event and coaching sessions which run alongside it. Titled players enter free by 1 Dec.

Programme level 1 and 3 start tomorrow night 9th October at Knights of Éanna. Sign up here: https://www.knightsofeanna.ie/chess-steps-coaching-programme

Knights of Éanna Chess Club has launched its Chess Steps Coaching Programme for the 2026/27 season, with structured group coaching available for players from beginner level through to approximately 1800 rating.

Chess Coaching at Knights of Éanna

The programme uses the internationally established Chess Steps method, with separate groups for Steps 1–4. Coaching takes place on Friday evenings at Knights of Éanna Chess Club in Rathfarnham, Dublin 16, and is open to both junior and adult players.

Each Step consists of 15 lessons across the season, divided into three blocks of five, with the first coaching block beginning in October.

Both club members and non-members are very welcome to take part.

Full details, dates, levels and booking information are available on the Knights of Éanna website:

https://www.knightsofeanna.ie/chess-steps-coaching-programme

The inaugural Galway Quads Tournament will take place on Saturday 24 October in Galway Bridge Centre, Further information, and a link to the entry form, is available here and on our webpage. Entries will close at midday on Friday 23 October.

The 34rd Cork Congress 2026

Sign up for Cork Congress soon to get the early entry price of €50 — it goes up to €60 after 10 October!

Irish Rapid and Blitz Championships 2026 will take place on Sunday, 11 October in the Talbot Hotel, Stillorgan.

Early bird entry until 4th October. Enter here.

A National Arbiters course to train NAs will run in Coláiste Éanna, Dublin on Sat 14 - Sun 15 Nov. See event page for details or to enter. Training in running Live Boards is included or available separately.