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Division 2 (Heidenfeld Trophy) 2012/13

After 9 rounds, the Curragh are in one of the promotion places with a great chance to make Division 1 next year and put two Co. Kildare sides in the top league. The table, with 2 rounds to go is as follows:

Full results are available at: www.leinsterchess.com

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Division 4 (O'Hanlon Cup) 2012/13

Following today's result Currragh 5.5-0.5 Bray/Greystones, Curragh, after 9 rounds, are up to fourth place.

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Division 6 (Bodley Cup) 2012/13

This is the first season for many years that we have put out a third team and the team are performing well by getting a full team out for each match. Each team will play each other twice this season.

He was the indispensable secretary in the club’s early years, willingly taking on the role of home-match organiser, team captain and general all-rounder in addition to his duties as record-keeper and correspondent. Chess is a sedentary game, but only in the sense that the players are seated; and a team captain has to be both fighter for his club and diplomat in relations with other teams and the provincial governing body. Billy slipped into these roles as easily as a hand fits into a well-worn glove, and he won the respect of all his club members by his abiding sense of fairness, a full measure of good-humour and the vital encouragement that every team needs now and again.

Like any good player, he was a formidable opponent over the board, and he rejoiced in a well-fought game especially one that ended in victory. As the club became a regular competitor in the Leinster Leagues, Billy found a new vocation, one that was to leave a special legacy to the children of the Curragh, Brownstown, Newbridge, Kilmeague, Robertstown, Milltown, Kildare and Kilcullen. He became a teacher. For several years, he taught chess in the Curragh’s junior section; and even though this demanded that he give more of his time, free of charge, to other people, he took on the work with enthusiasm. Several of those whom he coached went on to become formidable players in their own right and distinguish themselves in the Leinster Leagues. Billy’s teaching was done without fanfare or publicity: he worked away at the task and asked for nothing better than that the children would succeed. The legacy did not end there however: for chess is a game that teaches concentration, application, patience and self-discipline. None of us will ever know how much these traits which he encouraged in his pupils contributed afterwards to success in the lives of his young students, but there can be little doubt of the value of the gift that he gave them or the generosity of spirit that impelled him. And all that generous giving was done quietly, almost anonymously, by a man who lived unobtrusively in Newbridge.

Billy spent most of his working life in the signal corps of the defence forces. It is not immediately evident where the crossover points between his work and his personal life were, but

his orderly and disciplined mind and his well-organised approach to everything that he did served him well in both capacities.

Chess players were always welcome in Billy’s house in Cedarwood Park, and his wife Irene was a willing participant in their reception. No game of chess could be played in their sitting room without a mandatory cup of tea or coffee (regularly topped up), and biscuits too of course. They made a wonderful pair, sometimes outdoing one another in their cheerful greetings and sense of humour. And all the, then, children followed the good example of their parents with friendly welcomes and greetings.

Billy suffered a disabling stroke in 2000, and even though it limited his mobility quite severely and meant no more golf – a real penance for him – he bore his illness well. It frustrated him quite a lot sometimes; but like the good soldier that he was, he would never surrender while there was a fighting chance. He played chess like that too.

Thanks Billy: for so many good games, for such good company and for what you taught us all by your life and your work.

Billy O’Connor died on 4 January 2013.

The club meets every Thursday at 7.30 pm and all are welcome. Further details are on www.facebook/curraghchessclub

Leinster Chess Leagues

The Curragh has three teams in the Leagues at present in Division 2, Division 4 and Division 6. Full results and fixtures for all teams are at www.leinsterchess.com 

Club Competition The Club Championships commenced in January 2013. This a poignant year for the competition with the prize being the Billy O'Connor Perpetual Trophy, as Billy passed away on 4 January 2013. Billy was a founding member of the club in 1979. Obituary to follow.

The club will resume after the Christmas Break on Thursday, 10th January at 7.30 p.m. in Teach Dara, Academy Street, Kildare town. Saturday league games will also be held here. Directions to Teach Dara here:- http://www.icu.ie/maps/display.php?events=hai&event_id=452

League Update

The Curragh has three teams in the Leinster Leagues in 2012-13:

Heidenfeld (Division 2) 2012-13

After a strong start to the season, the team suffered two setbacks in Round 5 and 6:-

O'Hanlon Cup (Division 4) 2012-13

The O'Hanlon Cup team are working hard to keep their place in Division 4 and the Round 6 win against Finglas will help their chances.

Bodley Cup (Division 6) 2012-13

The Curragh have entered a third team in the leagues for the first time in a number of years.

Full league results are available at www.leinsterchess.com

Latest News

Heidenfeld (Division 2) 2012-13

Round 1

Malahide  3 - 5 Curragh

Round 2

Curragh 5.5 - 2.5 St. Benildus

O'Hanlon Cup (Divison 4) 2012-13

Round 1

Curragh 1.5 - 4.5 Elm Mount

The club began in 2011 and ran for two six week sessions (October-December 2011 and February – April 2012) on Sunday mornings (11:00 – 12:30) at the Watertower Conference Facility (formerly the Curragh Library) beside the Curragh Fire Station. The sessions are run by current club members Jimmy Forde, Dermot Earls, Bryan Tobin and Brendan Duffy (Junior Officer and Club Secretary). The club is intended to encourage juniors from 6 to 12 years of age to improve their chess in a safe and fun environment. Parents are welcome to play also with tea and coffee available and the odd biscuit (if the hungry chess players don’t get to them first!).

We had two fun competitions (Christmas and Easter) which Martin won on both occasions but there were plenty of chocolate prizes for everyone (thanks to Eoin).

So a big thank you to all the juniors who played this year and we look forward to seeing everyone again in October 2012 when we should be starting back again!

Thanks Martin, David, Aaran, Orann, Tiernan, Cian, Caoimhe, Cormac, Conor, Callum, James, Seamas, Beibhinn, Lorcan, Cloe, William, Susannah, Anna, Adam, Steven, Ronan, Cian, Sean and Ariel.

A special mention also for Creepbrook Manor, a new book by members William and Susannah available online at www.creepbrookmanor.com. An exciting read for parents and young readers alike.....

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History:

At the Curragh Chess AGM in 2011 it was agreed that the Curragh Chess Club would start a Junior Club in October 2011 to run a two 6 week sessions, either side of Christmas. This was due to a steady rate of enquiries from parents in the area. For best practise purposes both Jimmy Forde and Brendan Duffy took part in the Kildare Sports Partnership’s Basic Awareness and Children’s Officer courses in 2011.

For further details about the club please contact Brendan Duffy (bduffy@dit.ie).

Club Championship

Congratulations to Pearse Dunne who won the 2012 Curragh Chess Club Championship.

Branagan Cup 2012

The Curragh Chess Club participated in the Branagan Cup during April and May 2012 suffering heavy defeats against Dun Laoghaire and Bray/Greystones but managing a draw against the Leinster champions Rathmines. The final table:-

Detailed results at www.leinsterchess.com

Rating List - May 2012

Recent Events

A number of Curragh players participated in the E2E4 Easter Congress held recently in Dublin. The highlight was the performance of Franco Rivera who had two wins against 2000+ rated players.Here is his win from the first round:-

http://www.icu.ie/games/display.php?id=30266

The other geat performance was by Padraig Hughes, the Leinster under 12 champion who scored 4.5/7 in the Majors winning a board prize.

Here are the scores of the Curragh players:-

Masters

Franco Rivera 2.5

Challengers

Pearse Dunne  4.0

Mark McLoughlin 3.5

Major

Padraig Hughes  4.5

Dermot Earls      2.5

 Full results are at http://www.e2e4.org.uk/dublin/Apr2012/masters.htm

Leinster Competitions

With the Leinster Leagues now finished until September, the club will play in the Leinster Chess Union Branagan Cup on 21st and 28th April 2012.

Heidenfeld Trophy (Division 2)  2011-12

 The team's next outing will be in the Branagan Cup on 21 April v Rathmines and 28 April away to Dun Laoghaire. 

O'Hanlon Cup (Division 4) 2011-12

The Division 4 team just held onto their Division 4 status by the skin of their teeth.

Final table:

Full detailed league results are recorded at: www.leinsterchess.com

Padraig, from Athy recently won the best player at the Kilkenny monthly junior tournament and was the under 10 Irish champion in 2011. Padraig plays on the Curragh's O'Hanlon Cup team.

http://www.icu.ie/articles/display.php?id=340

http://www.icu.ie/images/display.php?id=667

The Junior Club meets every Sunday from 11 a.m. -12.30 p.m. Beginners are always welcome.

Latest News

Heidenfeld Trophy - Division 2 - 2011/12:

Going into the Christmas break, the Curragh have managed to move up the table and are still in with a chance of promotion:

Team members are Richard Arundell, Pearse Dunne, Noel Lynch, Mark McLoughlin,  Harijs Valters, Martin Brehhov Robert Turley and Franco Rivera.

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O'Hanlon Cup - Division 4 - 2011/12

After a slow start, Curragh have improved their position and are in the top half of the table.

Team members are Brendan Duffy, Dermot Earls, Leo Talbot, Padraig Hughes, Maurice Canavan, Niall O'Shea.  Full league results at www.leinsterchess.com

The Junior Club meets every Sunday from 11 a.m. -12.30 p.m. Beginners are always welcome.

Latest News

Heidenfeld Trophy - Division 2 - 2011/12

The Curragh have had a reasonable start to the season with 13.5/32 after four rounds against some of the stronger teams in the league.

Team members are Richard Arundell, Pearse Dunne, Noel Lynch, Mark McLoughlin,  Harijs Valters, Martin Brehhov Robert Turley and Franco Rivera.

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O'Hanlon Cup - Division 4 - 2011/12

After a poor first round, Curragh had an excellent second round win over Phibsboro and are on 11/18 after three rounds.

Team members are Brendan Duffy, Dermot Earls, Leo Talbot, Padraig Hughes, Maurice Canavan, Niall O'Shea.  Full league results at www.leinsterchess.com

 Short Video Chess Simul :- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQEMGskFDHQ

The Curragh Chess Club welcomed Jonathan O'Connor, chairman of the Irish Chess Union to the club on Thursday night where he gave a talk on chess tactics and played in an entertaining simultaneous exhibition game.

Jonathan played nine games and scored an impressive 100% score. First to fall were Dermot Earls and Noel Lynch followed by Tim Hinchey and Niall O'Shea. Hugues Hammouma put up the biggest resistance but ultimately collapsed to Jonathan's better tactical play. The youngest player of the night Padraig Hughes was one of the last to fall putting in a good performance while Aiden O'Connor missed some opportunities to draw and even win the game when he was one of the last men standing.

Jonathan also presented Noel Lynch with the Billy O'Connor perpetual trophy for winning the Club Championship 2011.

For the record, here's the full score for the night:-

Jonathan O'Connor 1-0 Franco Rivera

Jonathan O'Connor 1-0 Tim Hinchey

Jonathan O'Connor 1-0 Hugues Hammouma

Jonathan O'Connor 1-0 Niall O'Shea

Jonathan O'Connor 1-0 Dermot Earls

Jonathan O'Connor 1-0 Noel Lynch

Jonathan O'Connor 1-0 Padraig Hughes

Jonathan O'Connor 1-0 Martin Brehhov

Jonathan O'Connor 1-0 Aidan O'Connor

Lecture and Simultaneous Display

Jonathan O'Connor, chairperson of the Irish Chess Union and member of Dublin Chess Club will give a lecture and simultaneous exhibition game on Thursday 6th May at 7.30 p.m.

All are welcome to attend.

International Ratings

Two Curragh players have obtained partial FIDE ratings following the 2010-11 season, the first ever for the Curragh. The Heidenfeld Trophy was rated for the purposes of obtaining a FIDE rating but depended on the number of games against rated opponents. Although Richard played on the top board in the National Club championships, he did not play enough games to achieve a FIDE rating performance from the competition.

It is expected that after next season, Richard and Pearse may obtain full international ratings and other players on the higher boards will manage to play against rated opponents.