The recent New Year festival also included the Irish 65+ Championship, which attracted a very healthy entry of 34.
A full report has been added to the Tournament pages here.
Four boards per round were available on live boards, and these included many entertaining games. One game that caught the eye was the rollercoaster encounter between clubmates Peter Cafolla and Peter J. Lynch in round 1. The former was heading to a smooth win when he slipped by blundering a knight, whereupon he gave up an exchange to try to muddy the issue, ending a full rook down. A slip by the latter enabled a miraculous escape.
Joe Noone finished clear first on an unbeaten 6/7, to win the title of Irish 65+ champion for the first time. Half a point behind, and also unbeaten, was the defending champion Gerard O’Connell. Gerry MacElligott and Pat Reynolds shared 3rd-4th a further half a point back.
In addition to the 28 games available on live boards, two extra games were contributed by Michael Burniston and Gerry MacElligott, for which many thanks.
Michael’s game featured a striking finish.
26. ?
Four moves before the diagrammed position, the game stood in the balance, but a single slip led to a cascade of forced further concessions, pushing Black back. His last four moves were … Qe7-f7 (the losing move), … Qf7-g8, … Ke8-e7, and … Ke7-e8.
So much time had been given up that there had to be a breakthrough. Michael found the spectacular 26. Qxd5!!, when the queen is immune because of 27. Bb5 mate. After 26… g5 27. fxg6 Qxg6 he followed up with 28. Rxc6!!, and after 28… Qh6, delivered the coup de grâce with 29. Rxc8+!. Nicely done!