Monday, July 25, 2011

Chess Puzzle

This week's position:



The above position is quite famous - so if it is familiar to some I am sorry. However, I think it's a brilliant position - Black to play and win.



Solution to last position:
Penrose - Jones
1979 British Championship
1.Qd8! Nb6 (1...Rxd8 2.cxd8+ Qxd8 3.Nc7+) 2.Ba5 the game ended 2...Bf6 3.Qxf8+ Qxf8 4.Bxb6 Qc8 5.Nc7+ 1-0

Friday, July 22, 2011

'Evening Echo', Tuesday, 26 April, 1994.

CCYMS bridge six-year gap

CCYMS bridged a six-year gap when they won Division One of the Munster Senior League for the first time since 1988 at Cahir the weekend before last.
In the closest finish for many years, the Young Men's side edged out Limerick A by the narrowest of margins. Douglas, holders of the title for the last five years and current All-Ireland Club champions, had to settle for third place.
Final standing: 1. CCYMS 41; 2. Limerick A 40.5; 3. Douglas 36.5; 4. Charleville 29; 5. Waterford 28.5; 6. Limerick B 19; 7. West Cork 15.5.
CCYMS took a 3.5 points lead over Limerick into the final round at Cahir where they faced Douglas. The Shannonsiders, meanwhile, were paired against tailenders West Cork. In an eventful finale, Limerick A duly dispatched their opponents 5-0, leaving CCYMS requiring at least two points for the title. This they achieved, despite going under 2-43 to the holders.
The victorious CCYMS team members in board order were Kieran Moynihan, Tadgh O'Leary, Finbarr Allison, Pat Twomey and Tom Myers.
CCYMS will now go on to represent Munster in the All-Ireland Club Championships.




West Cork are relegated to Division Two and Cork City A, winners of the second division title, are promoted.


-JIM OLNEY

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Missed opportunity at the Irish Championship

Today's clash between Colm Daly and Stephen Brady had to be one of the key games of the 2011 Irish Championship. So if you agree with that statement the following position has to be the key moment of the tournament.

Stephen after heroic efforts to win played 83...Bf6?? reaching the following position:



Colm replied 84.Ke?? and missed his chance. He could have drawn with 84.Na7 b4 85.Nc6 b3 86.Na5+ capturing the b-pawn next move and reaching a theoretically drawn position. As the bishop does not control the queening square and Black cannot force the White king out of the corner.

Weekly Puzzle:

This weeks puzzle:



Another nice position. It's White to play and win!

Solution to last puzzle:
Samisch, F - Schieferdecker
Mainz, 1953
1...Rdg8! 2.Kf1 Rg1+ 3.Kxg1 Qg8+ 4.Kf1 (4.Kh1 Qg2#) 4...Qc4+ 5.Kg1 Rg8+ 6.Kh1 Qf1#