Curragh Chess Club

Leinster Leagues - Round 11 - 2007/08

Heidenfeld - Division 2 - Round 11

Curragh v Kilkenny 

The last round of the league for all teams was held in Inchicore. Curragh scored a respectable 3.5-4.5 loss against Kilkenny to finish the season in fourth place out of twelve teams. Richard Arundell and Niall O'Shea won with Mark McLoughlin, Noel Lynch and Peter Klompers drawing.

Other players were Brendan Duffy, Franco Rivera and Billy O'Connor.

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O'Hanlon Cup - Division 4 - Round 11

 Curragh scored a very respectable 3-3 draw with top of the league side Phibsboro to finish the season on a high and deprive Phibsboro of the title.

This year's team were Derek Stacey, Dermot Earls, Michael Kennedy, Bryan Tobin, Derek Meade and Leo Talbot and Marek Piecewicz.

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Heidenfeld Division 2 2007/08

Heidenfeld -Division 2 - Round 10 - 1 March 2008

Curragh v Inchicore

Curragh lost 3.5-4.5 to Incore in the last home match of the season.

With only 1 round remaining, Bray/Greystones have taken the lead and Curragh are still in third place:-

Heidenfeld - Division 2 - 2007/8

Heidenfeld -Division 2 - Round 9 - 9 February 2008

Curragh v Elm Mount

Curragh scored a great win against Elm Mount.

After 9 rounds, Curragh are now in third place on 43.5 points.

Heidenfeld 2007/08 - Round 8

Heidenfeld -Division 2 - Round 8 - 26 January 2008

Curragh v Drogheda

Drogheda, for various reasons, were unable to field a full team for the second time this season. Brendan played his game last week and drew, however, the defaults on the higher boards, unfortunately for Drogheda will mean that no point is scored for this game. THe result on the day was 7.5-0.5.

 After 8 rounds, Curragh are now on 37.5 points and looks like we are in contention for a third place finish in the League.

O'Hanlon Cup 2007/08 - Round 7

Curragh v St. Benildus- Division 4 - 19 January 2008

Curragh won 3.5-2.5 against St. Benildus to ease relegation worries.

Curragh had a bye in Round 6.

Heidenfeld 2007/08 - Round 7

Heidenfeld -Division 2 - Round 7 - 12 January 2008

Curragh v Bray/Greystones 'B'

Curragh held to a draw by Bray/Greystones 'B'. 

Heidenfeld 2007/08 - Round 6

Heidenfeld -Division 2 - Round 6 - 6 December 2007

Curragh v Celbridge

In the Kildare derby, Curragh defeated Celbridge 4.5-3.5 to finish the pre-Christmas schedule strongly. A few more good performaces from the Curragh who were again well outrated by their opponents. 

Mark Kiernan (White) v Mark McLoughlin (Black)

This game was a Caro-Kann opening with early Queen activity. (1. e4 c6  2. Nc3 d5  3. Qf3 d4  4. Bc4 e6). Twenty moves into the game with all pawns and pieces still on the board, the last moves were 19. Ng5  Bb6 

Play continues 20. Ne2 fe (To try and relieve the cramped position)   21, Nxe4 Nf5   22. Bb3 (White gives up the h pawn because of the threats to the bishop) Nxh4   23. Qh3 Nf5  24. N(2)g3 Nge3   25. Nxh5

25........ Nxg2    26. Nf6+  Nh4+    27. Kh8 gxf6    28. Re2 Qf7    29. Rg2 Qh4  30. Rh2 Rg8   31. Bc1 Rxg1  32. Kxg1 Qg6+   33. Kf1 Rh8   34. Rh1 Qh6  0-1

Heidenfeld 2007/08 - Round 5

Heidenfeld -Division 2 - Round 5 - 1 December 2007

Curragh v Malahide 'A'

Curragh took on a weakened Malahide 'A' side, the current league leaders and held them to a 4-4 draw. Good results on Boards, 4, 5 and 6.

Niall O'Shea v Cormac Roche

Black has sacrificed material for a strong attack. White now plays 30. Bd3 threatening the Knight with a potentially fatal attack on the King and Queen. 

Instead for Black, 30 .... Nh4 protected from the Bishop atack with strong mating chances.

After 5 Rounds: Curragh 22/40

O'Hanlon Cup 2007/08 - Round 5

Curragh v Bray/Greystones - Division 4 - 1 December 2007

Curragh suffered a 2.5-3.5 defeat to Bray/Greystones.

Bryan Tobin playing black was a pawn up was the victim of a clever trick from  his opponent.

Black's only chance after Nf7+ was RxN with a good bishop and drawing chances. 

Team Score (after 5 Rounds): 13.5/30

Heidenfeld 2007/08 - Round 4

Heidenfeld -Division 2 - Round 4 - 17 November 2007

Curragh v Bray/Greystones 'A'

Curragh put up a good fight but were beaten 2.5-5.5 against a very strong team. Very good results on the top boards!

This is the position reached between Mark McLoughlin (Black) and Eric Bennett (White). Black now plays  NxN. White had a choice between recapturing with the rook or pawn. Which would you choose?

White played PxN. Black plays Qc5+ winning the rook and white resigned!

Total (after 4 rounds): 18/30

O'Hanlon Cup 2007/08 - Round 4

Curragh v Balbriggan - Division 4 - 17 November 2007

Curragh get their first team win of the season with a 3.5-2.5 win against Balbriggan.

Team Score (after 4 Rounds): 11/24

O Hanlon Cup 2007/08 - Round 3

O'Hanlon Cup -Division 4 - Round 3  - 10 November 2007

Curragh v Royal Lopez

Curragh lost 2-4 against a strong Royal Lopez side and were unlucky not to hold them to a draw overall.

 Total: 7.5/18 (after 3 rounds)

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Heidenfeld 2007/08 - Round 3

Heidenfeld -Division 2 - Round 3  - 3 November 2007

Curragh v Malahide 'B'

Great result for the Curragh defeating Malahide 'B' 7-1 helped by three defaults.

Curragh move into third place with all of the top teams to play in the next few weeks. League Table after 3 rounds:

O'Hanlon Cup 2007/08 - Round 2

O'Hanlon Cup -Division 4 - Round 2  - 20 October 2007

Curragh v Rathmines

Curragh drew 3-3 with Rathmines. 

 Total: 5.5/12 (after 2 rounds)

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The Curragh Chess Club meets every Thursday from September to May at 8 p.m. in the Curragh Branch Library - beside the Curragh Fire Station. The club has two teams in the Leinster Leagues: the Heidenfeld Trophy ( Division 2) and the O'Hanlon Cup (Division 4). New players always welcome.

Heidenfeld 2007/08 - Round 2

Heidenfeld -Division 2 - Round 2  - 13 October 2007

Curragh v Rathmines

Curragh travelled to Grosvenor Road for a 2.5-5.5 defeat to Rathmines. Back to reality after our great first round result!

 Next Round is Home v Malahide 'B' on 3 November 2007

League Table after 2 Rounds:-

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O'Hanlon Cup 2007/08 - Round 1

O'Hanlon Cup -Division 4 - Round 1  - 6 October 2007

Curragh v Portmarnock

Curragh lost 2.5-3.5 against Portmarnock in their first outing of the season. 

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The Curragh Chess Club meets every Thursday from September to May at 8 p.m. in the Curragh Branch Library - beside the Curragh Fire Station. The club has two teams in the Leinster Leagues: the Heidenfeld Trophy ( Division 2) and the O'Hanlon Cup (Division 4). New players are very welcome.

Heidenfeld Round 1 2007/08

Heidenfeld -Division 2 - Round 1  - 29 September 2007

Curragh v Lucan

Curragh got off to a flying start with a 6-2 win over Lucan. A promising first outing this season.

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The Curragh Chess Club meets every Thursday from September to May at 8 p.m. in the Curragh Branch Library - beside the Curragh Fire Station. The club has two teams in the Leinster Leagues: the Heidenfeld Trophy ( Division 2) and the O'Hanlon Cup (Division 4). New players are very welcome.

The Handover of the Curragh May 1922