Author Archives: Sean Coffey

Ulster Masters 2022

Posted on November 23, 2022 by Sean Coffey

The Ulster Masters took place last weekend, in Lisburn C.C.’s new premises, attracting 40 players across two sections. The top section was won by Peter Carroll, for the second year in a row. A full report has been added here. … Continue reading →

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Basman – Tr. Kanyamarala, 1st EJCOA Invitational 2021

Posted on November 15, 2022 by Sean Coffey

Michael Basman played some tournaments last year, including the 1st EJCOA Forest Hall Invitational in Northumbria, England, a 10-player all-play-all in which Tarun Kanyamarala earned his first IM norm. The 75-year-old Basman scored 2½/9. A photo of round 7 shows … Continue reading →

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Michael Basman 1946-2022

Posted on November 6, 2022 by Sean Coffey

I was sorry to hear the news that Michael Basman, ‘by a very long way, the most creative chess player of his generation’ (William Hartston), has died. He tied for first in the 1973 British championship, though lost the playoff … Continue reading →

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A trap in the Petroff

Posted on October 26, 2022 by Sean Coffey

The chess world is abuzz with news of the 10-move win of Leinier Domínguez Pérez against Elshan Moradiabadi in the US Championship in St. Louis earlier this month. After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 … Continue reading →

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Target Recruitment Masters, Belfast 2001

Posted on October 6, 2022 by Sean Coffey

Over five years ago, a report on the Target Recruitment Masters 2001 was added to the tournament pages here. The overall event, held at Queen’s University Belfast, attracted 86 players across three sections. The top section was won jointly by … Continue reading →

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Irish Championship 1962

Posted on September 1, 2022 by Sean Coffey

A report on the Irish Championship 1962 has been added to the tournaments pages here. This is based on joint work with David McAlister, to whom many thanks; we have been trading versions back and forth and adding details sporadically … Continue reading →

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Title norms

Posted on August 16, 2022 by Sean Coffey

The page here on FIDE title norms by Irish players, and progress of Irish players towards titles, has been updated. There has been so much activity on this front that it has been hard to keep up, and the update … Continue reading →

Posted in Norms and titles | 1 Comment

Women’s Olympiad, Lublin 1969

Posted on August 13, 2022 by Sean Coffey

Ireland’s record at Women’s Olympiads had an outstanding start at the first such event, Emmen 1957, when the team of Hilda Chater and Beth Cassidy finished equal 14th-15th out of 21, ahead of France, Austria, Finland, Norway, Belgium, and Luxembourg. … Continue reading →

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Irish Championship 2022

Posted on July 6, 2022 by Sean Coffey

The Irish Championship is in progress in Dublin, and reaches the halfway stage today. A report has been added to the tournament pages here; updates will be added round by round until the conclusion. Numbers are down from the past … Continue reading →

Posted in Irish championships, Tournaments | 2 Comments

The internment of John O’Hanlon

Posted on June 10, 2022 by Sean Coffey

On June 10, 1922, one hundred years ago today, John O’Hanlon, Irish champion since 1913, was arrested in Portadown. A report appeared in the Belfast News-Letter the following Monday (page 5): ARRESTS IN PORTADOWN In the early hours of Saturday … Continue reading →

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