Limerick Open 2012

The Limerick Open 2012 was held on the Halloween holiday weekend (27–29 October) at the South Court Hotel, Limerick. It was a six-round event, with 67 entries in the Philip Hogarty Open (42 players, including a GM) and the Under 1400 section (25 players).

In the Philip Hogarty Open the winner, GM Gergely Szabo (Romania and Bray club), won outright first place, scoring 6/6. He won his final game against Brendan Lyons (St. Benildus) in round 6 to clinch first prize and the perpetual trophy. Valentin Kalinins (Celbridge club) and Rory Quinn (Ennis) shared joint 2nd–3rd on 5/6.

In the junior section John Hensey (Westport) won first prize on 5.5/6. Stephen Meaney and Noel Keating shared joint second/third on 5 points.

The players ranged in age from as young as 7 up to the over-60s. Special thanks to John Cassidy for organising the Limerick Open, and to Ted Jennings and Brian Scully for doing the draws.

Prize winners

• Philip Hogarty Open: 1st GM Gergely Szabo, 6 points
• Philip Hogarty Open: joint 2nd–3rd Valentin Kalinins and Rory Quinn, 5 points
• Best under-2000: Brendan Lyons, 4.5 points
• Best under-1600: Ray O’Brien, 4 points
• Best under-1400: Tim Dineen, 3 points
• Best girl in the Open: Diana Mirza, 2.5 points
• Under-1400 Major: 1st John Hensey, 5.5 points
• Under-1400 Major: joint 2nd–3rd Stephen Meaney and Noel Keating, 5 points
• Best under-1000: Thomas Keating, 3.5 points
• Best unrated: Eoghan Turner, 4 points
• Best girls: Deirdre Turner and Nora McNamee, 3 points

Source: Limerick Chess Club archive.