Thirteen checkmates for Manuel in one night
Sometimes taking on one skilled chess player at a time just isn’t enough, and local chess expert recently put out a call for enthusiasts to play him all at once.
Manuel Gardenes faced no less than 15 players in a simultaneous chess exhibition which was run for a local good cause in The Loch gCarman Arms, Gorey, recently. Donations from the players were appreciated.
Seamus Halpenny of Gorey Chess Club said that Manuel would be considered the best chess player in Wexford after Mel O Cinneide. Several years ago, Manuel took on international chess master Sam Collins, the top player in Ireland, and won.
This isn’t the first time the Spanish player has undertaken the challenge of a simultaneous exhibition, and most of the fifteen challengers were from the Gorey Club.
The games began shortly after 8 p.m. and the first players began to fall within an hour on what was a good-humoured night.
As 11 p.m. approached, Manuel had thirteen wins notched up, but the final two players still standing put up more of a fight. In the end, he drew with Seamus, and lost to Liam Hearns from Arklow who plays with a Division One club in Dún Laoghaire. Still, 13 wins in one night wasn’t a bad result.
Thanks went to the Loch gCarman Arms and all who supported the night. Gorey Chess Club meets on Mondays at 8 p.m. in the Loch gCarman. Players of all standards, including beginners, welcome.