DATE: WED JUNE 5TH - 8PM
VENUE: LIMERICK CHESS CLUB (LIMERICK LAWN TENNIS CLUB)
RATE OF PLAY: 6 minutes a side with 2 second increment for all moves. with time handicaps. For every 150+ points between the players, time handicap of 7:5, for 300+ 8:4, for 450+ 9:3 minimum time limit is 3mins + 2 sec
ENTRIES AND REPORT:
There was a strong list of entrants with 23 players from Ennis, Sarsfield, Charleville and Limerick clubs but eventually 4 of the top rating seeds tied for joint first. John Cassidy, Niall McDonnell, Jan Heinrich and Rory Quinn all finished on 5.5/7 points. Gerry Graham was the controller ably assisted by John Cassidy organising. It was a great success and it was suggested that a similar time format event could be held again later this year. Please note the rating performance listed below is not a true reflection due to the time handicap. More photos later.
Aaron Daly(White) playing Gerry Burke rd 2 of the Amalgamated Limerick Blitz 5th June 2013.
Brian Farragher(White) v Joe Cronin in rd 2 of the Amalgamated Limerick Blitz 5th June 2013. Brian had his left arm in a sling so he was handicapped both physically and in time .
A thoughtful Gerry Graham(White) v Cian Wall in rd 2 of the Amalgamated Limerick Blitz 5th June 2013. Gerry was also the Controller but it didn't stop him scoring 4/7 after a long break from playing in tournaments.
Robert Wall(Black) presses his clock v John Alfred in rd 2 of the Blitz 5th June 2013. Rob had 9 minutes + 2 seconds v John's 3 min + 2 seconds due to their rating difference which was the maximum allowed time handicap.
Joe Cronin(White, from Ennis club) v Laurent Talazac(Limerick) rd 5 of the Limerick Blitz 5th June 2013.
Frank Noonan(White, Sarsfield club) v Rory Quinn(Ennis) being watched by Cian Wall, Liam O'Brien and Rob Wall(standing) rd 5 of the Limerick Blitz 5th June 2013. Rory played an exciting Kingside attack to win.
Gerry Graham(White) v Niall McDonnell in rd 5 of the Blitz 5th June 2013. Niall who has not played much chess recently, due to other commitments, like Gerry, won this game.
Hoping for some brain waves with a quick sip of Bud weiser John Cassidy(White, Ennis club) plays Jan Heinrich(Charleville) rd 5 of the Limerick Blitz 5th June 2013. Jan beat John.
Denis McGrath(White, Ennis club) and Kevin Foley(Charleville) both playing at super speed in rd 5 of the Limerick Blitz 5th June 2013.
John Alfred receiving a prize from John Cassidy for finishing on 5/7 below the 4 joint firsts in the Amalgamated Limerick Blitz 5th June 2013.
Jan Heinrich receiving a joint first prize from John Cassidy for finishing on 5.5/7 in the Amalgamated Limerick Blitz 5th June 2013.
Niall McDonnell receiving a joint first prize from John Cassidy for finishing on 5.5/7 in the Amalgamated Limerick Blitz 5th June 2013 proving that he still has a winning strategy after years away from the chess scene.
John Cassidy getting a well deserved joint first prize from Gerry Graham for finishing on 5.5/7 in the Amalgamated Limerick Blitz 5th June 2013. Deserved because he was also the main organiser of the tournament.
FINAL STANDINGS(7 rounds:)
No. Name Rating Score Median Buch Buch Prog Rating Perf 8 Cassidy, John 1728 5.5 23 32 23 1941 3 McDonnell, Niall 1841 5.5 21.5 30 24.5 1906 2 Heinrich, Jan 1919 5.5 21.5 30 21.5 1960 1 Quinn, Rory 2064 5.5 21 28.5 20 1999 7 Alfred, John 1758 5 17.5 24.5 21 1780 9 Graham, Gerry 1582 4 23.5 31.5 20 1767 19 McCullough, Padraig 797 4 19.5 26.5 14 1061 5 O'Brien, Liam 1816 4 19 27 16 1595 4 Noonan, Frank 1837 4 18 25 16 1633 15 Meaney, Stephen 1133 4 17.5 24.5 17 1428 16 Blackwell, Edward 1100 4 15.5 21 10 1332 6 Burke, Gerry 1760 3.5 19.5 27.5 17.5 1544 14 Scully, Brian 1394 3.5 16.5 23.5 13.5 1349 11 Farragher, Brian 1451 3 18.5 25.5 15 1256 21 Naughton, James 687 3 17 23.5 14 979 17 Daly, Aaron 1076 3 15.5 23 9 1296 20 Wall, Cian 700 3 15.5 21.5 11 925 10 Clancy, Dan 1529 3 15.5 21 12 1187 13 Talazec, Laurent 1431 3 12 19 9 1231 18 Wall, Robert 981 2 15 21.5 8 951 23 McGrath, Denis 632 2 13.5 20 8 651 22 Cronin, Joe 633 2 13 18.5 9 621 12 Foley, Kevin 1441 2 11.5 18.5 7 1034