Irish Senior ch

Joedryan

Just looking at this on chess-results, seems like a well fought event.

But a thought - 5 rds only? Is that not a bit disrespectful to the event?

Joedryan

Congrats to Gerry thats an outstanding 5/5

macelligott

Gerry O’Connell had an excellent result - 100% is always good 😀

A 5 round tournament is too short where the 50+ and 65+ are mixed. So the 65+ title was awarded on tie-break, which isn’t very satisfactory.

Hopefully the next edition will revert to the 7 round format 😀

But it was an enjoyable tournament regardless.

Retd.LoyolaCpt

Not possible to run anything beyond weekenders in Eanna while in term. I’m sure it will be back to 7 rounders next time.

Retd.LoyolaCpt

I've put the next slate of events (including the below) into the calendar now but all will be provisional until there's a venue and the ICU signs off:

https://www.icu.ie/events/1486

RooksPawn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117955612#Comment_117955612

The 65+ title was decided on tie-break the two previous years also. The main reason for that was not the number of rounds (which was 7 on both occasions) but the fact that the two age groups were in the same tournament. In effect performances against 50-64 year old players (including in previous years, high-rated visitors from overseas) can and do decide who wins the 65+ title.

In separate 7-round tournaments, the main contenders in each and would almost certainly meet and the presence of overseas players shouldn't be a problem.

The equal and separate prize funds this year was an improvement and should be retained. A prize for the best performance by a player aged 75 (or perhaps 70) or older who doe snot win another prize could help to attract entries from older players.

Therefore the tournament announcement, when it is finalised and entries opened, should include a line saying that if entries exceed a certain number (maybe 18-20) then there will be two separate tournaments.

**

It also should not go unremarked that one of out stronger and most active 50+ players, an active poster here, chose to play instead in the European Seniors Championships, which clashed. He had an excellent result and reached 5/7 but unfortunately went down to the eventual winner and one of the other prizewinners in the final two rounds. Two other players from Ireland also competed in these events.

It is to be hoped that Irish participation in overseas seniors events will be greater next year.

The World Senior Team Championships are due to be played next 5-16 May in Italy and, although details are not available yet, it ,may not be too soon to seek expressions of interest and appoint captains for each age category.