The Limerick Start of Season Blitz was held on Thursday 24 September 2026 at 8 pm at Limerick Lawn Tennis Club. It was a six-round event with 33 players, played at 5 minutes a side plus 2 seconds per move, with time handicaps. The tournament controllers were Stephen Clancy and Devis Gardin and the organiser was Phillip Foenander. Entry was €5 for adults and €3 for juniors, and the club provided all sets and clocks.
Results
Joint 1st: James Naughton, Korneliusz Bartczak and Jamie Comley, 5/6.
Joint Best Juniors: Cathal Murphy and Aayan Sanuj.
In round 5 James Naughton beat Korneliusz Bartczak in a blitz endgame played with only seconds left on both clocks.
Source: Limerick Chess Club archive.
Photographs
Start of season blitz held on 24th Sept 2026, Cathal Murphy and Aayan Sanuj finished as joint Best Juniors scoring 4.5/6 points
Start of season blitz held on 24th Sept 2026, Round 5 James Naughton v Korneliusz Bartczak in the most exciting blitz endgame seen in the club. Kornel (about to play) has 3 seconds and James has 8 seconds. Both players were cool under pressure playing the final moves at super speed, repeating moves to gain time and James somehow managed to win.
Start of season blitz held on 24th Sept 2026, Runnd 1 games with Sveinn Geirsson v Robert Arellano nearest
The Hunt Museum Garden Summer Chess Knockout Tournament was held on Sunday 6 September 2026 in the garden of the Hunt Museum, Rutland Street, Limerick, with thanks to the museum management for providing the venue. 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 and a time limit of 20 minutes per player with no increment. Prize trophies sponsored by the Hunt Museum were awarded for 1st, 2nd, Best Junior and Best Female player. The tournament controller was Ray O’Brien.
Results
Winner: Robert Arellano.
Runner-up: Jamie Comley.
Best Junior: Devah Chandrasekar.
Best Woman: Avery Machnicka.
The first three rounds were played indoors in the Hunt Museum café because of windy weather, and the final was played on the museum’s giant chess board. The final and the junior play-off each needed a 5-minute blitz play-off to decide the winner.
Source: Limerick Chess Club archive.
Photographs
Round 1 game shows Jamie Comley v Wiktor Hoffmann. Jamie is getting to be a strong player and played in a recent European Youth championship at Cetinje in Montenegro. Wiktor is a new player on the local chess scene.
Round 1 game Trijal Rai v Devah Chandrasekar, with the Hunt museum’s giant chess board outside the window.
Hunt tournament 2026 Best Junior playoff Henry Williams v Devah Chandrasekar. They drew the first and Devah won the decider.
Hunt tournament 2026 Round 3 game between Robert Arellano and Avery Machnicka. Avery did well to get to the semifinal match, but her fine run was ended by AGM Arellano.
Hunt museum Sept 6th tournament 2026 round 2 Henry Williams v Avery Machnicka. Adam and Hamilton are setting up the pieces for a friendly game just outside the window, and another game is being played on the giant chessboard. This illustrates the popularity of chess in Limerick.
The Hunt Museum Garden Summer Chess Knockout Tournament was held on Sunday 28 June 2026 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 and a time limit of 20 minutes per player with no increment. Prize trophies sponsored by the Hunt Museum were awarded for 1st, 2nd, Best Junior and Best Female player. The arbiter was Neal Kirby.
Results
Winner: Hamilton Mandeya.
Runner-up: Korneliusz Bartczak.
Best Junior: Korneliusz Bartczak.
Best Female Player: Sarah Cheung.
Because of bad weather all games, including part of the final, were played indoors in the Hunt Museum café. The final needed a 5-minute plus 2-second blitz play-off to decide the winner.
Source: Limerick Chess Club archive.
Photographs
Hunt 2026 runner up and Best Junior player Korneliusz Bartczak receiving his prize trophy from Hunt museum representative Carlos.
Hunt 2026 Best Female winner Sarah Cheung receiving her prize trophy from Hunt museum representative Carlos
Hunt Summer Garden tournament 2026 Round 2 Best female player game Julia Morgan v Sarah Cheung.
Hunt Summer Garden tournament 2026 Round 2 Best female player game Julia Morgan v Olivia Morgan. Black won.
The Limerick End of Season Blitz, with the club prizegiving, was held on Thursday 21 May 2026 over six rounds. The tournament controller was Neal Kirby.
Blitz results
1st: Robert Arellano, 5.5/6.
Joint 2nd: Jamie Comley and Rory Heffernan, 5/6.
Joint Best Juniors: Korneliusz Bartczak and Scott Fitzgerald.
Tom White Cup prizes presented
After the blitz the Tom White Cup 2025-26 prizes were presented: Korneliusz Bartczak (winner, who received his trophy from Neal Kirby), Jamie Comley (2nd), Stephen Clancy, Robert Arellano and Adam McCoy (joint 3rd) and Cathal Murphy (Best Junior).
Source: Limerick Chess Club archive.
Photographs
Club winners at the Limerick End of Season blitz held 21st May 2026. L-R Cathal Murphy(Tom White Best Junior), Stephen Clancy(Tom White joint 3rd), Robert Arellano (Tom White joint 3rd), and Adam McCoy(Tom White joint 3rd).
Jamie Comley finished in joint 2nd in the End of season blitz on 21st May 2026, and also 2nd in the Tom White Cup.
Korneliusz Bartczak was presented with his Tom White Cup winners trophy by Neal Kirby after the Blitz on 21st May 2026.
Joint 2nd in the End of Season blitz on 21st May 2026 was shared by Jamie Comley and Rory Heffernan on 5/6 points.
Best juniors in the End of Season blitz 2026 was shared by Korneliusz Bartczak and Scott Fitzgerald.
The Limerick Xmas Blitz was held on Thursday 11 December 2025 at 7.30 pm at Limerick Lawn Tennis Club. It was a six-round event with 29 entries, played at 5 minutes a side plus 2 seconds per move, with time handicaps. The tournament controllers were Ray O’Brien and Neal Kirby and the organiser was Phillip Foenander. Entry was €5 for adults and €3 for juniors, and the club provided all sets and clocks.
Results
Joint 1st on 5/6: Korneliusz Bartczak, Robert Arellano, Hamilton Mandeya and Conor Sheehan.
Joint Best Juniors on 3.5/6: Devah Chandrasekar and Cathal Murphy.
In round 6 Korneliusz Bartczak beat Robert Arellano, which prevented Robert from winning the blitz outright.
Source: Limerick Chess Club archive.
Photographs
Joint Best Junior winners in the Limerick Xmas blitz 2025 on 3.5/6 points were Devah Chandrasekar and Cathal Murphy with Ray in centre.
Robert Arellano v Korneliusz Bartczak in rd 6 of the Limerick Xmas blitz 2025. Kornel is Robert’s nemesis in club competitions and he did it again by winning this game and preventing Robert winning the blitz outright.
Teva Shuman v Paul Kellett in rd 4 of the Xmas blitz 2025. Paul won this game but Teva did well to win the final 2 rounds
Paul Carey, of Killoran Terrace, Catherine Place, Limerick, a long-time member of the Limerick Chess Club and founder member of the Bunratty Chess Tournament in 1994, died peacefully at home on Tuesday 2 December 2025.
Paul was a long-time member of the Limerick Chess Club from the late 1970s. He was a strong player and competitor over the board. He was a founding member of the Limerick Open tournament in 1988 with Gerry Graham and later also a founding member of the Bunratty Chess tournament with Gerry in 1994. The Bunratty Chess tournament celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2018 with a commemoration book with over 180 master games included. In April 2018 Paul was awarded the Cospoir Sports Award for his voluntary work in chess.
Paul was very sociable and friendly and had a great sense of humour. He often adjourned to the bar at the Bunratty hotel after the games were over to enjoy the craic with other top players.
Farewell to our chess friend and organiser! We will all miss you! May you rest in peace!
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.
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.
