The Shannon Rapidplay chess tournament was held on Sunday 19 October 2025, from 12 pm to 4 pm, at the Shannon Oakwood Hotel.
Rate of play: all moves in 10 minutes plus 5 seconds per move
Entry fee: €10 (multiple entries, €25 maximum per family). Players were asked to register the night before, as the draw was made in advance
Prizes: trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, and a trophy for Top Girl
Levels: Level 1, under-9s and beginners; Level 2, juniors only (intermediate, playing less than 2 to 3 years); Level 3, open to all ages, experienced players (for example ICU rating 1000–1400); Level 4, open to all ages, stronger players (for example ICU rating 1400+)
The 33rd Cork Congress was held from Friday 3 to Sunday 5 October 2025 at the Clayton Hotel, Cork City, 10 Lapps Quay, Cork.
Format: five-round FIDE-rated Swiss in all sections, with 90 minutes per player plus a 30-second increment from move 1
Sections: Masters (1800 and above), Majors (1550 to 1850) and Minors (1600 and below)
Entry fee: €60 for all sections, or €50 for entries received before 26 September. Entries closed on Wednesday 1 October, with online entry at icu.ie/events/1968
Contact: Mark Watkins
Eligibility: all Irish residents must be members of the Irish Chess Union
The club’s Annual General Meeting for the 2025-26 season was held on Thursday 18 September 2025 at 8 pm, at Limerick Lawn Tennis Club, Ennis Road, Limerick, V94 X9K0.
Membership fees for 2025-26 were agreed with no increase: Adults €60, Juniors €30; adult members’ children under 18 play free. Club nights are held on Thursdays, 7–11 pm, a change adopted by member vote effective 10 March 2022.
Officers for 2025-26: President Ray O’Brien; Chairman Niall McDonnell; Secretary Phillip Foenander; Assistant Secretary Stephen Clancy; Treasurer Murali Kathiresan; Assistant Treasurer Stephen Clancy; PRO Laurent Talazac. Munster League team captains: Ray O’Brien (A) and Phillip Foenander (B).
The meeting agreed that the time control for all club competition games is 75 minutes plus a 15-second increment for all moves, and that senior members playing juniors (school-going players aged 18 or under) play at 75 minutes plus 15 seconds for the entire game. A proposal to celebrate the club’s 100th anniversary in 2026 with a large tournament at a Limerick or Bunratty hotel venue was passed unanimously.
The 104th Irish Championship was held from Friday 1 to Sunday 10 August 2025 at the Treacys West County Hotel, Clare Road, Ennis (tel. 065 686 9600).
Main event: nine rounds. Rounds 1–8 from Saturday 2 to Saturday 9 August at 3 pm; Round 9 on Sunday 10 August at 11 am
Eligibility: Irish federation players rated 1900+ (FIDE or ICU, any 2025 list)
Time control: 90 minutes for the first 40 moves plus 30 minutes for the rest of the game, plus a 30-second increment from move 1
Prizes: guaranteed prize fund of €4,000, with a first prize of €1,500. The winner is declared Irish champion and offered a place on the next Irish Olympiad team, subject to the eligibility criteria
Other events: Irish Junior U20 and U12 Rapid Championship, Irish Rapid Championships, a Weekday Open, an Irish Junior U20 and U12 Blitz Championship, weekend Opens and the Irish Blitz Championship
Entries and details were handled through the Irish Chess Union calendar (www.icu.ie/calendar); the entry contact was John Cassidy.
The Hunt Museum Garden Summer Chess Knockout Tournament was held on Sunday 20 July 2025, International Chess Day, in the garden of the Hunt Museum, Rutland Street, Limerick. It was a four-round knockout for 16 players, open to all chess players and members of the public who know the rules of chess. It was a non-rated event with free entry. The time limit was 20 minutes per player with no increment. Trophies sponsored by the Hunt Museum were awarded for 1st, 2nd, Best Junior and Best Female player. The arbiter was Neal Kirby, who also made the random draws.
Results
Winner: Korneliusz Bartczak.
Runner-up: Robert Arellano.
Best Junior: Maslen Briggs.
Best Woman: Sarah Cheung.
Because of rainy weather all games, including the final, were played indoors in the Hunt Museum café. Two games in round 2, and the final and the junior final, needed a 5-minute blitz play-off, and the women’s final needed a 20-minute play-off.
Source: Limerick Chess Club archive.
Photographs
The organisation team for the 2025 Hunt museum chess Rapid knockout tournament. L-R Ray O’Brien, Arbiter Neal Kirby and Phillip Foenander
The trophies were sponsored by the Hunt museum, and the cafe was open for drinks and snacks.
Hunt Summer Garden tournament 2025 Round 3 match Stephen Clancy v Korneliuz Bartczak. Thirteen years old and already a very strong player for Limerick Korneliuz won to move into the Final.
Hunt Summer Garden tournament 2025 Round 3 match of two strong rivals. In a very sharp game Robert managed to queen his c pawn to win and go into the Final v Korneliuz.
The Limerick Xmas Handicap Blitz was held on Thursday 12 December 2024 at 7.30 pm at Limerick Lawn Tennis Club. It was a six-round event with 36 entries, played at 5 minutes a side plus 2 seconds per move, with time handicaps. The tournament controller was Ray O’Brien and the organiser was Phillip Foenander. Entry was €5 for adults and €3 for juniors, and the club provided all sets and clocks. Prizes were presented by Neal Kirby.
Results
Joint 1st on 5/6: Hamilton Mandeya, Adam McCoy and Daniil Shtokalo.
Best Junior: Korneliusz Bartczak, who received the Michael Meaney Junior Shield.
Round 2 was played on 18 boards, the highest number of entries the club had had for a blitz.
Source: Limerick Chess Club archive.
Photographs
2024 Limerick Xmas Blitz Best Junior prize winner Korneliuz Bartczak was presented with the Michael Meaney Junior Shield by Neal Kirby.
2024 Limerick Xmas Blitz round 2 in progress with 18 boards which would be the highest number of entries the club has had for a blitz, reflecting the growing popularity of chess since the Covid Pandemic
2024 Limerick Xmas Blitz rd 2 Stephen Clancy v Robert Arellano nearest.
The Munster Junior Chess Championships 2024 were held on 7–8 December 2024 at the West County Hotel, Ennis. There were 102 entries in five age groups: U8, U10, U12, U14 and a combined U16–U18 section. The tournament controller was Ray O’Brien and John Cassidy was the organiser, who presented the prizes.
Limerick prize winners
U18: 1st Jamie Comley (4.5/5 in the combined U16–U18 section); 2nd George Stack (4/5)
U16: Cathal Murphy, section champion
U12: Maslen Briggs, section winner
Henry Shagoyan won the U14 section.
Source: Limerick Chess Club archive.
Photographs
2024 Munster Junior tournament 2nd U18 section prize winner George Stack(Limerick) George scored 4/5 points.
2024 Munster Junior tournament 1st prize winner Cathal Murphy(Limerick) being presented with the U16 section Champion trophy by John Cassidy.
2024 Munster Junior tournament joint 2nd and U16 prize winner Misha Hudkov(Ukraine/Ennis) being presented with his prize by tournament organiser John Cassidy.
2024 Munster Junior tournament U16 joint 6th overall and girls 1st prize winner Leonie Heydemann(Ennis) presented with her prize by organiser John Cassidy.
Limerick Chess Club AGM was held on Thursday, 19th September 2024 at 8 pm. at Limerick Lawn Tennis Club
Attendance
7 members present: Ray O’Brien (President), Niall McDonnell (Chairperson), Phillip Foenander (Secretary), Laurent Talazac (Club PRO), Tim Dineen, Murali Kathiresan and Stephen Clancy. Absent with apologies: Liam Stack (Treasurer) and Neal Kirby (Asst Secretary).
The meeting was opened at 8 pm by Chairperson Niall McDonnell.
Minutes of AGM 2023 were taken as read.
The Secretary’s Report was read by Phillip Foenander.
The Treasurer’s Report was read by Niall McDonnell in the absence of Liam Stack. The club’s opening balance was €2,048.46 on 3 August 2023 and the closing balance as of 28 June 2024 stood at €2,226.72.
2024 AGM motions
1. That the club enter a Limerick ‘C’ team for the Munster League, proposed by Ray O’Brien and seconded by Phillip Foenander. A team sheet for the A, B and C teams had already been drawn up by the Club Secretary, and many players had already consented to participate. The motion was agreed as long as all available players could fill the team sheets without having to concede walkovers.
2. To bring the Limerick Open back to a Limerick venue, proposed by Laurent and seconded by Niall. The club had to accept the West County Hotel in Ennis again this year as the cheapest venue available (€360 for the whole weekend) for the tournament on 8-10 November 2024. The club will try again to find a venue in Limerick city or county next year depending on venues available and cost. Supported by all present; passed.
3. Junior club coaching at Don Bosco in Castletroy, proposed by Laurent and seconded by Niall. Ray mentioned that this year’s coaching of juniors by John Cassidy will be on Tuesdays at a new venue, Mary I college, starting on 24 September 2024. Supported by all; passed.
4. A proposal by Ray, seconded by Niall, to abolish the Pavilion membership fee and increase the adult membership fee from €60 to €70 instead. Last season the club had only 6 Pavilion members instead of the 7 required by the Tennis Club. However, 2 members present (Phillip and Stephen Clancy) were willing to pay Pavilion fees to replace the shortfall from last season. Motion was not passed.
5. A proposal by Laurent to hold an online challenge match between Limerick club and Quimper Chess Club in Normandy. Laurent said he had been involved recently with the rejuvenation of the twinning of Limerick City and Quimper, so a chess match would be appropriate. The motion was agreed and Laurent will keep the club updated.
Nomination and election of Club officers
President – Ray O’Brien (for life)
Chairperson – Niall McDonnell to remain (proposed by Phillip)
Secretary – Phillip Foenander to remain (proposed by Niall)
Assistant Secretary – Neal Kirby resigned and Stephen Clancy nominated to replace him (proposed by Niall, seconded by Phillip)
Treasurer – Liam Stack resigned and Murali Kathiresan nominated to replace him (proposed by Niall, seconded by Laurent)
Assistant Treasurer – Liam Stack accepted (proposed by Phillip, seconded by Ray)
PRO – Laurent Talazac to continue (proposed by Phillip, seconded by Niall)
Munster A Team Captain – Ray O’Brien
Munster B Team Captain – Phillip Foenander
Munster C Team Captain – undecided as yet, pending C team final approval
Any other business
1) The 2024 Munster Chess League AGM is to be held on 13 October 2024 at the Charleville Park Hotel.
The meeting was closed by Chairman Niall McDonnell around 9.10 pm.
The Hunt Museum Garden Summer Chess Knockout Tournament was held on Sunday 21 July 2024 in the garden of the Hunt Museum, Rutland Street, Limerick. It was a four-round knockout for 16 players, open to all chess players and members of the public who know the rules of chess. It was a non-rated event with free entry. The time limit was 20 minutes per player with no increment, except in the final, which had a 2-second increment. Trophies sponsored by the Hunt Museum were awarded for 1st, 2nd and Best Junior. The arbiter was Neal Kirby, who also made the draws.
Results
Winner: Robert Arellano (Limerick).
Runner-up: George Stack (Limerick).
Best Junior: George Stack (Limerick).
The tournament was held outdoors under the awnings in the museum’s back garden in dry but cloudy weather, and the final was played on the giant chess board. Two games in rounds 1 and 3 needed a 5-minute blitz play-off.
Source: Limerick Chess Club archive.
Photographs
Round 1 in the Hunt museum tournament on Sunday 21st July 2024 Hamilton Mandeya v Robert Arellano.
Round 1 game in the Hunt museum tournament on Sunday 21st July 2024 George Stack v Murali nearest.
Round 1 game in the Hunt museum tournament on Sunday 21st July 2024 bd 4 Sarah Cheung v Korneliuz Bartczak nearest.
Limerick Chess Club AGM was held on Thursday, 21st September 2023 at 8 pm. at Limerick Lawn Tennis Club
Attendance
12 members present: Niall McDonnell (Chairperson), Neal Kirby (Secretary), Laurent Talazac (Asst Secretary), Phillip Foenander (Treasurer), Liam Stack (Asst Treasurer), Tim Dineen, Liam O’Brien, Paul McGurran, Brian Murphy, Des Fanning, Filip Bartczak and Korneliusz Bartczak. Ray O’Brien (President) also attended.
The meeting was opened at 8.20 pm by Chairperson Niall McDonnell.
Minutes of AGM 2022 were read by the Chairperson.
The Secretary’s Report was read by Neal Kirby.
The Treasurer’s Report was read by Phillip Foenander. The club’s opening balance was €1,890.06 on 15 September 2022 and the closing balance as of 21 September 2023 stood at €2,048.46.
The 2023 Munster Chess League AGM is to be held on 22 October 2023 before round 1 of the Munster League.
2023 AGM motions
1. To offer cash prizes (1st €60, 2nd €30, 3rd €30, Best Junior €30) for the Tom White Cup, proposed by Neal Kirby. Supported by all present; passed.
2. To have a WhatsApp group to communicate with members, proposed by Neal Kirby. Supported by the majority present; passed.
3. To purchase 2 fold-up long tables, proposed by Neal Kirby. Supported by the majority present, subject to Tennis Club administration approval.
4. To switch club meeting nights from Thursday back to Wednesday, proposed by Neal Kirby. Supported by most present with 3 objections, subject to Tennis Club administration approval (noted that there is a yoga group meeting on Wednesdays 7-8 pm).
5. To donate most of the club’s chess books to the local library due to lack of storage space in the club lockers, proposed by Phillip Foenander. Supported by the majority present; some books to be retained in the club lockers for members to loan; the library to be contacted on this matter.
Nomination and election of Club officers
President – Ray O’Brien (for life)
Chairperson – Niall McDonnell (offered to resign if anyone can replace him; no new nominations; proposed by Neal, seconded by Phillip)
Secretary – Neal Kirby resigned for personal reasons. Phillip Foenander nominated (proposed by Neal, seconded by Niall)
Assistant Secretary – Laurent Talazac to continue (proposed by Neal, seconded by Niall)
Treasurer – Liam Stack nominated (proposed by Phillip, seconded by Neal)
Assistant Treasurer – Ray O’Brien (proposed by Niall, seconded by Neal)
PRO – Laurent Talazac to continue (proposed by Phillip, seconded by Neal)
Munster A Team Captain – Ray O’Brien
Munster B Team Captain – Phillip Foenander
Any other business
1) Announcement of the Cork Congress weekend tournament to be held on 6-8 October 2023.
2) The continuing problem of finding an affordable venue for the Limerick Open in Limerick meant that the club had to accept the West County Hotel in Ennis as the cheapest venue available (€250 for the whole weekend) for the tournament on 3-5 November 2023. The club will try again to bring it back to Limerick next year depending on venues available and cost.
3) Junior club coaching at Castletroy. Continue with coaching of juniors by Ray O’Brien and John Cassidy on Saturdays at Castletroy.
The meeting was closed by Chairman Niall McDonnell around 9.20 pm.
