The National Club Championship took place at the Talbot Hotel Stillorgan over the weekend, ending today. Congratulations to Elm Mount, who won for (I think) the first time ever.
The event attracted 15 teams, and was hotly contested all along. Going into the last round, five teams were in strong contention: the leaders Malahide, with 7 match points, followed by Elm Mount, Ennis, Galway, and Gonzaga with 6 match points each.
In the last round, Ennis beat Malahide 3½-2½, and Galway beat Gonzaga by the same margin. Elm Mount beat the out-of-contention St. Benildus, also by 3½-2½, to finish in a three-way tie for first with Ennis and Galway, winning on game points (Elm Mount 20, Galway 18½, Ennis 16).
One of several crucial moments occurred in the last round game between Lara Putar (St. Benildus) and Harry Braine (Elm Mount).
38. ?
In the diagrammed position, White is in complete control and clearly winning, and the simple 39. Nb5 wins a piece after the forced 39… Qd5 40. Qxd5 Nxd5 41. c6 Rc8 42. c7 Nxc7 43. Nxc7.
Instead the game continued with the mysterious 39. Kf3?, allowing Black a glimmer of counterplay with 39… e5. White’s best would now be 40. Qc4+ Kh8 41. Kg2, which should still be winning, but instead she played 40. Nb5?, throwing away the win.
There followed 40… Qd1+ (40… Qh3, threatening … Rxf4+, also gives equal chances) 41. Kg2 fxg3, and now White made the final error with 42. hxg3?? (42. Bxg3=). After 42… Qf3+ 43. Kh3 Qxf2 material was level, but the white king was horribly exposed, and was mated a few moves later.
If White had won or drawn, Galway would have been champions instead.
[Click to replay the full game.]
90 games were available on live boards, and they are available in the games archive here (and to the ICU games archive).