Cavan Chess Congress a ‘great success’
The atmosphere at the Cavan Chess Congress was so tense you could almost hear the kings and queens gliding across the squares on the board.
With heads down in focus, the over 120 minds in the room were far away from the effects of Storm Éowyn and solely focused on their next move. Phones were off, only whispered conversations could be uttered; while men, women, boys and girls of all ages took each other on in a game of chess at the Cavan Crystal Hotel on Saturday and Sunday.
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Masters of the Game of Chess in action on Sunday in the Cavan Crystal Hotel at the Cavan Chess Congress.Ireland’s only Chess Grandmaster, Alexander Baburin on the left - deep in concentration during his game, while on the Right, is visiting Grandmaster from Spain, Oleg Korneev, composed and focussed on his next move.PHOTOS: Sean McMahonImage 2 of 14
Young people excel at Cavan Chess CongressL-R: - Aiden Thomas under 11 winner, Kaiavlya Badil, the Under 11 winner, Tudor Serban, Under 15 winner, Tony McMahon, Cavan Chess Congress Organiser; Ted O’Callaghan, under 9 winner; Edvinas Paulikas, Under 13 winner.Image 3 of 14
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Winning Challengers at Cavan Chess Congress in the Cavan Crystal Hotel.L-R: - Aidan Thomas, 3rd place and trophy winner; Angel Mariya, 2nd place; Adrian Kelly, Tournament Organiser and Ayaan Prabhith, in 1st place.Image 12 of 14
Winners of the Major Chess TouramentKenny Perkin, 3rd Place; Sreeyan Andhurthi, 2nd place; Adrian Kelly, Organiser of the Tournament, Andy Keenan, winner of the Major and comes from the Churchtown Chess Club.Image 13 of 14
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The congress saw the best of the best gather in the hotel for the annual tournament; Ireland’s first chess Grandmaster, Alex Baburin who took home a joint third place in the Elite Division; Grandmaster Oleg Korneev who won the Elite Chess Division, and second place contestant Fide Master Turan Kanyamarala. Master’s games were set at three hours; however games have been known to go on for seven or eight hours in general in this section. Challenge games also gave contestants an opportunity to play with people from all over Ireland.
Speaking on Sunday shortly before the event came to a close, organiser Adrian Kelly was thrilled with how the third year of the event in Cavan played out, describing it as a “great success”.
“It’s just an incredible diversity coming from all over the country and also internationally from all ages from seven years old right up to retirement age,” he beamed.
The challenge consisted of three sections; masters in the game, those rated 1500 and above and then players who don’t have a chess rating or beginners in the game. On Sunday, they also hosted a kid’s rapid tournament, which consisted of six rounds. Overall, 121 contestants played throughout the weekend, which Adrian described as “great given the weather”.
“There was a few who couldn’t make it,” he added.
Speaking on the atmosphere as the tournament came to a close, Adrian could notice the effect the intense weekend had on players.
“You see it on people, leaving the tournament, they’re tired.”
They hope to host the tournament again in February next year. Adrian, who plays chess but didn’t compete over the weekend, is a big promoter of the game especially when it comes to young players, with his own children competing over the weekend.
“You want to grow engagement with chess in the area because it’s got so many benefits.
“It keeps kids off screens first of all, and secondly it’s a great way to pass the time and once you learn it, it’s a game for life.”
“There’s a great social aspect to it as well of course, you see people socialising here in between games.”