Irish University Chess continues to go from strength to strength. This year 9 teams competed in the 2007 Irish University Chess Association Championships at Queens University Belfast on the 10th March. Furthermore, we are facing into a World University Championship year (Russia 2008). Ireland has never been in a better position not only to participate, but also to compete with the best the world has to offer.
History - How it all came about
In late 2002, Stephen Stokes, Graeme Walsh, and John Murray set up the Irish Youth Chess Association (IYCA). At the time there had been no National University Chess competition for many years in Ireland. Around that time the ICU had set up a junior squad with full access to training sessions and preparation. Unfortunately the training squads did not extend to players over 14 years old. As such the IYCA was set up to govern Irish University Chess & Irish Under 20 Chess.
2003
The first Irish University Championships were held in Griffith College Dublin, contested by the hosts, DCU, UL, & UCC. The format was 4 players per team, over two days. Graeme Walsh acted as controller. DCU were heavy favourites from the start. With 2 players over 2000 (including former Irish Champion Richard ODonovan), they always looked comfortable. As good as DCU were, I believe that team would struggle in 2007, such is the competition now. UL mustered the only resistance.
Final standings 1st DCU, 2nd UL, 3rd UCC, 4th GCD.
2004
The 2nd Irish University Championships were again hosted by Griffith College Dublin over two days. Competing were the hosts, UCD, UL A, and UL B. As per DCU the previous year, UCD were expected to cruise to victory, with their highly rated team (including 2 former youth internationals). UL had other plans. The group stage did throw up a small surprise in round 2, as GCD held UCD to a 2-2 draw. Otherwise it was business as usual.
The final round saw was the eagerly awaited clash of UCD and UL. I think those in attendance that day would agree with me it was one of the most gripping team matches ever seen in Irish chess. UL were out-rated by several hundred points on most boards, with pundits not giving them a chance. But it was to be the finest hour of UL Kingmaker Tom Cooper. Tom grabbed a piece against Garth Fitzmaurice early and never looked back. UL inspired by their captain were in the ascendancy. UCD who defaulted bottom board were in real trouble. 2-0 down, a shock was on the cards. But the plot thickened, as Ronan Dunne got one back for UCD, leaving the score at 2-1. All eyes then descended on board 1, where a titanic struggle was raging between former Irish youth international Eoin Spring (UCD) & 1700 rated Nicholas Ebel (UL). Eoin had to win, and pushed hard. Nicholas only needed a draw, and his defences were holding firm. As a time shortage ensued anything could have happened. As Eoin pushed forward something had to give. But a crafty Nicholas did not need a map to victory. He made sure of it with a clinical endgame show. Final score UL 3 UCD 1.
Tribute must be paid to Tom Cooper. He was the inspiration for the IYCA setting up in the first place. This was a coming of age for University of Limerick chess. A club he built with little resources, to become a formidable side.
Final standings 1st UL A, 2nd UCD, 3rd GCD, 4th UL B.
Unfortunately we lost Graeme Walsh from the Association around this time due to educational commitments.
2005
The 3rd Irish University Championships were hosted by the University of Limerick over 2 days. Unfortunately the turnout was restricted due to scheduling clashes with other chess events. 3 teams from the hosts, and GCD participated. Griffith like UCD the previous year were down a player in each match. Inevitably the final was GCD versus UL A. It was a tense affair. After Stephen Stokes won on board 2 for Griffith, and Diarmuid Mulvey won on board 3 for UL, it all came down to board 1 again. Darren McCabe for GCD against UL talisman Tom Cooper. In a complicated game that swung back and forth, it was eventually Darren who won out, ensuring the trophy was bound for Dublins South Circular Road.
Final standings 1st GCD, 2nd UL A, 3rd UL B, 4th UL C.
In relation to Under 20 chess the IYCA decided to abandon this officially in 2005.
2006
The 4th Irish University Championships, were hosted by Dublin Institute of Technology. There were some significant changes to the event format. The boards were reduced from 4 to 3, and the event played over 1 day. This better suited many colleges, who struggle to get a team out. Also the two-day event often felt drawn out, and was difficult for teams on tighter fiscal constraints. 4 new teams DIT A, DIT B, TCD, & QUB participated along with the old guard GCD, & UL.
TCD were heavy favourites, but as always things were not straightforward. Real quality emerged in the ranks of Irish University Chess this year. The old guard UL and Griffith, both depleted, could not cope with the talented newcomers. With no surprises in the group stages, it all came alight in the championship round. An eagerly awaited contest between the in-form Queens (missing their usual top board), and the heavies of TCD added to the series of gripping finals. Queens out-rated by an average 400 points, looked like they might nick it 2-1. But TCD dug deep and in a blitz finish emerged victorious 3-0. A very harsh result for Queens who played out of their skins for so long. But credit to TCD for hard graft and determination.
Final standings 1st TCD, 2nd QUB, 3rd DIT A, 4th GCD, 5th UL, 6th DIT B.
TCD's Mark McGovern, Peter Hayes & Graham Neary with Tom Cooper (2nd from left)
The IYCA Becomes the IUCA
In 2006 it was decided some crucial changes were needed for Irish University Chess to develop further. To do this the Irish University Chess Association was set up because a constitution was needed to give clarity and more definitive administration. Also calling the Association the IUCA gives better definition.
2007
The 2007 Irish Intervarsities was an outstanding success. Tribute must be paid to Queen's University (and in particular to Chris Millar - his transformation of QUB Chess has been sensational) on a great job hosting the event, and in such excellent playing conditions.
The playing venue in QUB Students' Union
Our thanks to David McAlister & the Ulster Chess Union for providing the tournament equipment. Finally the IUCA is indebted to tournament controller Tom Cooper who as always did a fantastic job.
A record 9 teams participated this year. The teams were split into two groups, for the opening 3 qualifying rounds. The 4th round, also known as "The Championship Round" was where it came alight.
I don't think Irish University Chess has ever had a dull final and this year was no exception as it went down to the wire. The 1st-2nd place final was a cracker between defending champions Trinity College Dublin and the host team Queen's University Belfast. Trinity had rolled into town, as massive favourites. Their ranks included Leinster Champion Karl "McAttack" McPhillips, former French International Fanny Gaudron, and former Irish International Mark "Sparky" McGovern. Opposing them was the in-form and talented Queen's side of Spaniard Claudio Fierro Mendicute, John Masterson, and former Ulster U19 Captain Chris Millar.
QUB -v- TCD boards 1 & 2
The board 1 encounter was a dogged battle between Karl and Claudio in which neither side gave anything away. Eventually Claudio's bishop pair against Karl's knights were good for a draw. As the round progressed John and Chris, found themselves being tested by a Trinity onslaught. Chris in particular was providing a backs to wall defensive masterclass but the spectators in attendance believed it was only a matter of time before Mark's forces would come crashing through.
The plot thickened as time became the enemy for the players. Soon though Fanny found herself a pawn up, and John needed to open up to equalise. This left John vulnerable and Fanny won a second pawn. It looked like curtains for John as he went three pawns down in the rook endgame. I was already writing the report in my head how "Queens showed great spirit in defeat, and how they came so close two years running" etc. But sport is a funny old game, and as we entered a blitz finish things were getting crazy. Fanny pushed the pawns forward, and John had to invent instant, but inch-perfect replies to frustrate the French player. In fact she had to be careful of a checkmate at the death. All eyes flicked between the clock and the board, but it was the clock flags that had the last laugh, as they fell at the same time! As such a draw was declared. And so on to board 3. Mark found a gap and was headed straight for goal, but Chris who had been defending like a machine had a little surprise lined up. As Mark charged he found his king trapped in the middle of the board and could not survive as Chris delivered the fatal bishop checkmate!
Millar checkmates McGovern
So congratulations to Queen's University, who are the new Irish Champions. After losing in the dying moments last year, the "Rocky" like story has come full circle for the Belfast men. This is a coming of age for Queen's Chess, who are now set to win domestic honours in the Ulster Leagues also.
Mendicute, Masterson and Millar with the trophy
Credit must also be paid also to Trinity College. Not only did they provide us another great final, but also they have really raised the bar in Irish University Chess. For example the TCD 'B' team finished 3rd, such is the depth of skill in their ranks.
Final Standings 1st QUB 'A', 2nd TCD 'A', 3rd TCD 'B', 4th NUIG, 5th UL 'A', 6th GCD, 7th QUB 'C', 8th QUB 'B', 9th UL 'B'.
4th placed NUI Galway
In other news, the IUCA AGM saw a new constitution passed, and a new executive elected. The new Executive Committee is as follows; Chairman - Graham Neary (TCD), Vice Chairman - John Murray (DIT), Secretary - Stephen Stokes (GCD), Treasurer - Tereasa O'Rourke (UL), P.R.O - Tom Cooper (UL).