Gorey’s Ryan scoops overall chess honours
A RECORD 117 County Wexford children converged on New Ross recently for the first chess competition of the year.
Organised by Wexford Chess this annual event for primary schools, one of two such events annualy, has been growing in popularity every year.
In this round-robin tournament each child plays a total of seven games. The more games players win the more likely they are to face sterner opposition in future games. Organiser Seamus Halpenny said: ‘In general, this approach works very well as it ensures that players find their level and are assured of good competitive games.’
Gorey’s Ryan Callaghan was the overall winner with seven out of seven points. In second place, overall, with 6 1/2 points was Tara Hill’s Iarla Ó Cinneide (U-11). In third place, also on 6 1/2 points, was Gorey’s David Remenyik. Iarla and David drew in their 2nd round game. This was a very good result for the younger Iarla.
The best overall school was St Joseph’s Primary School Gorey. Not surprising when you consider that, apart from having the overall winner in Ryan Callaghan, they provided the category winners U-13, U-12, U-10 and U-8.
Afterwards Mr Halpenny expressed his delight at the success of the event.
Mr Halpenny said: ‘ The numbers are up and the standard is up. Our aim is to get more schools across the county playing chess. We are happy to see so many schools appreciating it for the great game it is and recognising the benefits that come with playing the game.’
The next event on the calendar is the Annual Primary Schools Chess Challenge on Wednesday, February 8, from 6.30pm to 9 p.m. hosted by St Joseph’s P.S, Gorey. This is the 25th running of this team-based, three-round competition. It is split into a Senior Section (5th/6th classes) and a Junior Section (2nd/3rd/4th classes).
There are six members per team (€2 p.p.). A teachers or a responsible adult must accompany each team. For queries contact Bríd Cleary on greenbeans3@hotmail.co or phone 087 9458180.
The winners were: U13 1st Fian Hanlon (Gorey), U13 2nd Bobby Nolan (Duncannon), U13 3rd Hugh Boggan (Crossabeg), U12 1st Andy Yu (Gorey), U12 2nd Laura Kearney (Ballykelly), U12 3rd Aidan O’Gara (Gorey), U11 1st Dan Nolan (Duncannon), U11 2nd Bronagh Boggan (Crossabeg), U11 3rd Krystian Sikorski (New Ross), U10 1st Oskar Trankner (Gorey), U10 2nd Daniel Stepanek (New Ross), U10 3rd Thierry Travers (Gorey), U9 1st Johawn Shawn (New Ross), U9 2nd Charles Last (Kilanerin), U9 3rd Kyle Shannon (Duncannon), U8 1st Andrew Hennell (Gorey), U8 2nd Padraig Higgins (Kilanerin), U8 3rd Aidan Prendergast (Ballykelly) and U7, 1st Adam McCormack (Kilanerin).