The 2010 Cork congress held at the Gresham Metropole 26th-28th March and had the same numbers as last year. In the current climate this is not too bad although with improving roads to the real capital, there was a shortage of players from Connaught direction. In advance of the tournament, a simul and lecture were held at Cork city hall and Cork chess club respectively and these new features were very well received and are likely to be a part of the tournament package in the future.

Masters

This year we welcomed back current holder Gavin Wall IM, Irelands top titled player Alex Baburin GM, inaugural joint winner Bogdan Lalic GM and from Bulgaria Dejan Bojkov. The field was further strengthen by FM’s Alex Lopez, Philip Short and several players from Holland and England that made the journey. Indeed the loftier rated players certainly had their feathers ruffled.

Round 1 produced a surprise when 2100 rated Kieran Moynihan lost to Alex Marinovic but recovered well in the tournament to finish 5th.

Round 3 saw Alex Baburin drawing against dutch player Erik van Eijndhoven. Philip Short FM had Dejan Bojkov in serious trouble and likely to convert in the position below. With white to move Philip chose Rg2 when Re4 or Kg2 are suggested as edging closer to the finish line. Blacks reply of Rb1+ saw a hand come across the table and black wins.

Round 4 saw an almost traditional draw with Alex Lopez and Alex Baburin in an Alekhine defence although Alex Lopez had an advantage during the game. The top board produced a draw also leaving a 3 way tie at the top.

Round 5 saw Dejan Bojkov take the lead with a win over Brian Galligan, Bogdan and Alex Lopez drawing.

In round 6 Bodgan beat Gavin Wall, Alex Lopez beat Philip Short and Dejan drew with Alex Baburin leaving a 3 way tie for 1st. On tie break, Bogdan and Dejan played a blitz for the titled of masters winner in which Dejan won the Finbarr Allison Memorial Trophy.

Best untitled player went to Kieran Moynihan and grading to John Courtney

Majors

For the 1st time in a number of years, this writer got to play in the Cork congress as organising and playing in the same event don’t mix too well. Denis O Connell was top seed and proved this with a fine start of 3/3 along with Cormac O Brien. They were closely followed by Barry Foran, Michael Bradley and David Cormican on 2½ /3. In round 4, the gods decided that this was the part where “What the Lord giveth…” . In a lively Scotch game David Cormican was in a strong position against myself and looking to close out the win in the position below with black to move. Nothing more logical than to play move played that Rc7 threatening mate with Qxc2# as long as there are no other threats. Unfortunately Qb4# was an unpleasant reply.

But as I said, what the lord giveth…the lord taketh away. Below is the position against Denis O Connell R5 in the opening phase of an anti Sicilian line – the wing gambit. White had just played exd5. Again..black quickly played the “logical move” on a Sunday morning of Qxd5. Consider this a no comment situation when I realised Rxa5. Despite a good chance to regain the piece within the game with awkward placed knights, Denis found the correct reply and that was that.

Denis went onto win outright with a fine 5.5/6. There was a flurry of games resulting in a 6 way tie for 2nd, including myself (Yippee !) Barry Foran, Daniel Cashin, John Cormican and Steve Dixon the others. Grading prizes went to Ray Woodhouse and Cormac Roche

Minors

Patrick O Mahony and Liam Murphy made excellent starts in this section resulting in 4/4. Corks Adrian McCauliffe lost R1 but was making steady progress in his first Cork congress. A number of the games and results were very tight, resulting in a 4 way tie for 1st. Aidan O Sullivan and Geoffrey Keatinng joined Liam Murphy and Adrian McCauliffe who played off for the title in a blitz game. Liam Murphy got the title.

Grading prize went to Angus Gill for a very creditable 4.5/6.

The Philip Hogarty Rising Star Award this year went to Christopher Young.

Cork Chess made a presentation to two of its longest serving members as an appreciation of their services to Cork chess. Joe Browne, life president, and Walter Fitzgibbon, founding member, received signed wooden boards by all of the titled players of this years tournament.

This tournament would not have been made possible only for the hard work and support from a number of people and organisations.

Cork City Hall for their very generous support and for hosting the siuml exhibition.

Our thanks also to the Irish Chess Union and Munster Chess for their significant contributions.

To the Gresham Metropole Hotel for the venue and facilities afforded to us, top class as always.

To Steve Short for the success that is the live boards. Voodoo has nothing on this man..!

To Gerry Graham who as always delivered excellence in tournament control, despite players best efforts to throw spanners in the works with late changes !! (..and a small number of inaccuracies a certain organiser was responsible for..)

To the Idle Hour pub which hosted the inaugural post Congress blitz party and it went down very well for those staying onto Monday !

But finally to you the players who decided to take part this year and travelled to support the Cork congress. It is a lot of commitment to travel away for a weekend and it is greatly appreciated. I hope you all enjoyed yourself whether it was over the board or sampling some of Cork for the weekend.

I hope to see you in 2011…!!

All the best

Michael Bradley

Chairman Cork Chess / Organiser