The Limerick Open 2012 was held on the Halloween holiday weekend (27th-29th Oct) at the South Court hotel Limerick. There were 67 entries in both the Philip Hogarty Open(42 players including a GM) and the Under 1400 Sections(25 players).
In the Phillip Hogarty Open section, the winner, GM Gergely Szabo(Romania and Bray club), won outright first, scoring 6/6.
He won his final game against Brendan Lyons(St. Benildus) in Round 6 to clinch first prize and the perpetual trophy.
Two players shared joint 2nd-3rd on 5/6 Valentin Kalinins (Celbridge club), and Rory Quinn (Ennis)
In the Junior section, John Hensey(Westport) won first prize on 5.5/6 points.
Joint Second/Third were Stephen Meaney, and Noel Keating both on 5 points.
The players in the tournament ranged in age from as young as 7 up to the Over 60s. A lot of parents are getting their kids to take up the game at a very young age and that is a good sign for the future of the game in Ireland
Special thanks to John Cassidy for great work organising the Limerick Open and Ted Jennings and Brian Scully for doing the draws.
Prize winners list:
For the final standings and round by round results please scroll to end of report and click section
OPEN SECTION:
Romanian GM Gergely Szabo receiving his first prize money from Noel Keating having scored a perfect 6/6
Ennis player Rory Quinn took second prize in the Open looking happy but tired after the effort
A very delighted Brendan Lyons from Dublin receiving his Best Under 2000 rating prize from Noel Keating
Limerickman Ray O'Brien bagged the best U1600 rating prize after a great rating performance of 1852
Tim Dineen another Limerick winner of the best U1400 rating prize is an improving player
JUNIOR SECTION:
John Hensey from Westport winner of the Junior section with a great winners smile
Thomas Keating won the best Junior Under1000 rating prize. John Cassidy hands the prize to young Tom
A very interchessted young star of the future Eoghan Turner won the best Unrated Junior prize
Another young star of the future Deirdre Turner(Eoghan's sister) won the best Junior girls prize
Congratulations to all prize winners!
Photo Gallery from round 6 All photos courtesy of Pat Shanahan photography (Click here for Pat's Facebook page)
OPEN SECTION:
Romanian GM Gergely Szabo demonstrates the correct method of Thinking Like a Grand Master
Rory Quinn v Seamus Duffy game watched by kibitzers David Baird, Ted Jennings and Thomas Dunne Snr
Rory triumphed to clinch joint second with Kalinins
David Baird watching Seamus Duffy contemplating his next move against Rory Quinn
Len Hackett(Black) summons all his brain power in a difficult position. He managed a draw v Paddy Divilly despite his King being surrounded by enemy pieces(see position)
Brendan Lyons trying to get a result v GM Gergely Szabo. Brendan fought like a true Lyon but was overcome by the Roman(ian) gladiator to complete a whitewash 6/6 result and a 2941 performance rating
Peter Lynch thinking hard to save his game v Pat McMahon which he eventually lost.
Ray O'Brien played very well to get a draw in his game v Henk de Jonge and win the U-1600 rating prize. In the partial position shown, both players are leaving their Queens en prise. Henk won a pawn but only managed a draw in a Bishop of opposite colours ending
Tim Dineen won his game v Eamonn Abberton, a player almost 300 points above him, to win the U1400 rating prize
Lyons v GM Szabo in an early opening position. An exciting finish led to the GM threatening to Queen his extra Rook pawn and forcing resignation from Lyons
Top two boards B1 Lyons v GM Szabo and B2 Dr. Norbert Hoffmann v Valentine Kalinins. Black won in both games!
Stephen Danaher in his trademark relaxed thinking pose got a good draw against Gabriel Mirza
Dr. Norbert Hoffmann from Berlin calmly thinking in his game with Kalinins on board 2
Veteran Ennis player Gerry Casey contemplating his next move
JUNIOR SECTION:
Controller and Arbiter Ted Jennings watching the Jessica Mulqueen Danaher v Michael O'Connell game in 50 shades of Black and White
Thomas Dunne Senior is mesmerized by an adjoining game
Dean Adam v Jeffey Alfred in the Junior section ended in a hard fought draw
Nine year old Eoghan Turner(Black) makes his move v Elvis fan 'Gentleman' Joe Cronin. Youth triumphed against experience here. Eoghan won the unrated prize(see photo above)
A priceless picture for the family album. Thomas Keating playing his dad Noel. Experience triumphed over youth this time, and Noel won to finish joint second with Stephen Meaney
A game for all ages - 11 year old Jessica Mulqueen-Danaher is a picture of concentration in her game v Michael O'Connell
9 year old Eoghan Turner seems a little distracted but that didn't stop him winning against his older opponent 'Gentleman' Joe Cronin