Ulster Chess Union News: February 1998

Chess Ireland web site http://ireland.iol.ie/~jghurley

January 1998 FIDE Rating Lists

Alexander Baburin has entered the realm of "super-grandmaster" with a rating of 2600 in the January 1998 FIDE list. This puts him in the world top 100 at number 72. The list of Ireland's top ten rated players in the January list is: Baburin, Alexander 2600; Kelly, Bryan 2390; Orr, Mark J L 2360; Quinn, Mark 2350; Brady, Stephen 2345; Heidenfeld, Mark 2325; Daly, Colm 2320; O'Cinneide, Mel 2285; Ryan, Joseph 2280; Smith, Andrew Philip 2280. Unofficially I hear Bryan's rating has moved beyond this to 2399.something and it may be rounded up - another step towards the full IM title.

St Agnes - tournament & club move

Advance notice - St Agnes' Chess Club is holding a Charity Chess Challenge on Sunday 5th April 1998 10:00am to 7:00pm in the RVH Bowling Centre. Eight teams will take part - two each from north, south, east and west Belfast. Michael Kane is the overall organiser, together with captains for each of the teams. If you are interested in playing Michael can be contacted on Belfast 627348. The final round of the competition will be between the team champions for the RVH Shield. NOTE: St Agnes club has moved to the RVH Social Club (inside the gates off the Broadway Roundabout).

Results

The Williamson Shield had its biggest turn-out in three years. Here are the results. Williamson Shield, 24th-25th January 1998: S Scannell 5.5; T Clarke, M Holmes, A Pinkerton, N Graham, J Brown 4.5; J Nicholson, D Moreland, G Annesley, M Waddell, B Jamison, T Beckett (under 1600 grading prize) 4; D Murtagh, P McLoughlin, R Proctor, D Barlow, B Walsh, J McCann (under 1400 grading prize) 3.5; D Mallaghan, A Burns, A Cootes, S McConaghy, N Fisher, C Dunleavy, A Beckett, T Parker, B Shaw 3; J Strawbridge, B McCaughey, J Connolly, D McGrath, D Brogan, J Clarke 2.5; J McLean, J Orchin, S Lynn, Gerry Collins, S Fox 2; A Truesdale, A Wilson 1.5; M Kane, S Elliot, P Morrison 1.

Ulster Bank renew sponsorship

The UCU would like to thank the Ulster Bank who are renewing their sponsorship for our week-end tournament in March. This safeguards the prize fund and hopefully will encourage participation - so start your preparation now!

B Kelly (2390) v's L McShane (2455)

This game from the recent Caledonian Masters is between two talented teenagers and helped Bryan achieve his third IM norm.

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. O-O Nc6 8. d5 Ne7 9. Ne1 Nd7 10. Be3 f5 11. f3 f4 12. Bf2 g5 13. a4 Nf6 14. c5 Ng6 15. a5 h5 16. cxd6 cxd6 17. Nb5 g4 18. Nxa7 Bd7 19. Kh1 g3 20. Bb6 Qe8 21. Qb3 gxh2 22. Bb5 h4 23. Kxh2 Nh5 24. Bxd7 Qxd7 25. Qb5 Qe7 26. Rc1 Rf7 27. Rc7 Qe8 28. Rxf7 Qxf7 29. Rf2 Qe7 30. Rc2 Qg5 31. Qf1 Ne7 32. Nb5 Qg6 33. Rc7 Bf8 34. Rxb7 Ng3 35. Qf2 Kf7 36. Nc7 Rc8 37. a6 h3 38. gxh3 Bg7 39. a7 Rh8 40. Qg2 Bf6 41. Rb8 Nf1+ 42. Kg1 1-0

Chess Calendar 97/98

Note new format of Saturday/Sunday is to be adopted for the Ulster Bank Chess Tournament.

Bold entries show events which have been confirmed. The rest were drawn up by comparison with last year. I will list definite dates as they become available.

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