Sessions
We have regular junior chess session for any level.
- every Saturday, from 10am to 1pm at the Ballyphehane Community Centre.
- every Friday, from 4pm to 6pm at the Kinsale Community School.
- (almost) every Friday, from 7pm to 8pm at the Cork Chess Club.
- we will start online sessions (seminars) soon…
There is no age restriction, but ideally the best age to join when the child can already write down moves (for puzzles, or for competitive chess).
What do we do in these sessions? We learn key elements of the game through mini-games and practice games, helping to develop spatial awareness, calculation speed and depth, visualisation, systematic and strategic thinking. We also encourage out-of-the-box thinking, looking for alternative solutions, and improving evaluation skills—understanding what to look for in a position.
In addition, we focus on different learning techniques and provide coaching on the theory of the game, from the basics up to an advanced level, including but not limited to end games, middle games, and openings.
Lessons and Analyses
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Rook and Knight vs. Rook
In the Munster Chess Union’s Club League, I witnessed a remarkable game in which two players fought for more than five hours, including nearly 90 minutes in a single rook and knight versus rook endgame, which ultimately concluded in a draw. Most of the players in the room were convinced that the position was theoretically drawn. However, the player with the advantage believed he could win, recalling a game between Judit Polgár and Garry Kasparov where the stronger side had prevailed in a similar situation. The player was not mistaken. Such a game did indeed take place—played in Dos Hermanas…
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Chess Camp in Ballyphehane
We are happy to announce that, we will hold a full day junior chess camp for all levels and ages: Planned program While we provide some snacks during the day, we asks that participants, please, bring your own lunch.
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Choices of promotion
Sometimes, a position can be very tricky, and the right evaluation is a key to make the right move on the board. Look at the following position where black is to move played between Sitki Fatih Karacol and Sam Murray, in the 52nd Irish National Club Championship (2025, Sligo). White has a material advantage by having a rook on the board while Black has merely 2 pawns as a compensation. But what a great two pawn they are: just about to be promoted. So, in terms materials, we can say White is way ahead, however, Black also has teeth to…
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Chess Olympiad Day 7
Team Ireland faced Team Ecuador in Round 7 today. The signs were good before this round, since Team Ecuador were struggling to have a consistent form. They rotate their players often, and only Board 1 and 4 were in positive balance. The team started the round very strong on these specific boards which gave an edge. On Board 1, Conor E Murphy gained some advantage in the opening. On Board 4 there was a considerable advantage from the beginning, so we expected these boards to win. The rest two boards were complicated, according to computers, they were equal positions. Positions,…
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Chess Olympiad Day 6
Liechtenstein – Ireland ½-3½. In the last couple of rounds Ireland faced stronger opponents, and still managed to compete. After the loss in the last round, it was expected to get a relatively easy opponent. Nonetheless, Liechtenstein shall not be underestimated. It is a small country located between Switzerland and Austria, but after their Chess Federation joined FIDE in 1985, several highly rated tournaments were organised there. All in all, the mean Elo-point difference between the teams were +280 (83% winning chance) from the Irish point of view. The players from the Principality were hard to defeat. On Board 3,…
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Rook and Knight vs. Rook
In the Munster Chess Union’s Club League, I witnessed a remarkable game in which two players fought for more than five hours, including nearly 90 minutes in a single rook and knight versus rook endgame, which ultimately concluded in a draw. Most of the players in the room were convinced that the position was theoretically drawn. However, the player with the advantage believed he could win, recalling a game between Judit Polgár and Garry Kasparov where the stronger side had prevailed in a similar situation. The player was not mistaken. Such a game did indeed take place—played in Dos Hermanas…
-
Chess Camp in Ballyphehane
We are happy to announce that, we will hold a full day junior chess camp for all levels and ages: Planned program While we provide some snacks during the day, we asks that participants, please, bring your own lunch.
-
Choices of promotion
Sometimes, a position can be very tricky, and the right evaluation is a key to make the right move on the board. Look at the following position where black is to move played between Sitki Fatih Karacol and Sam Murray, in the 52nd Irish National Club Championship (2025, Sligo). White has a material advantage by having a rook on the board while Black has merely 2 pawns as a compensation. But what a great two pawn they are: just about to be promoted. So, in terms materials, we can say White is way ahead, however, Black also has teeth to…
-
Chess Olympiad Day 7
Team Ireland faced Team Ecuador in Round 7 today. The signs were good before this round, since Team Ecuador were struggling to have a consistent form. They rotate their players often, and only Board 1 and 4 were in positive balance. The team started the round very strong on these specific boards which gave an edge. On Board 1, Conor E Murphy gained some advantage in the opening. On Board 4 there was a considerable advantage from the beginning, so we expected these boards to win. The rest two boards were complicated, according to computers, they were equal positions. Positions,…
-
Chess Olympiad Day 6
Liechtenstein – Ireland ½-3½. In the last couple of rounds Ireland faced stronger opponents, and still managed to compete. After the loss in the last round, it was expected to get a relatively easy opponent. Nonetheless, Liechtenstein shall not be underestimated. It is a small country located between Switzerland and Austria, but after their Chess Federation joined FIDE in 1985, several highly rated tournaments were organised there. All in all, the mean Elo-point difference between the teams were +280 (83% winning chance) from the Irish point of view. The players from the Principality were hard to defeat. On Board 3,…
-
Rook and Knight vs. Rook
In the Munster Chess Union’s Club League, I witnessed a remarkable game in which two players fought for more than five hours, including nearly 90 minutes in a single rook and knight versus rook endgame, which ultimately concluded in a draw. Most of the players in the room were convinced that the position was theoretically drawn. However, the player with the advantage believed he could win, recalling a game between Judit Polgár and Garry Kasparov where the stronger side had prevailed in a similar situation. The player was not mistaken. Such a game did indeed take place—played in Dos Hermanas…
-
Chess Camp in Ballyphehane
We are happy to announce that, we will hold a full day junior chess camp for all levels and ages: Planned program While we provide some snacks during the day, we asks that participants, please, bring your own lunch.
-
Choices of promotion
Sometimes, a position can be very tricky, and the right evaluation is a key to make the right move on the board. Look at the following position where black is to move played between Sitki Fatih Karacol and Sam Murray, in the 52nd Irish National Club Championship (2025, Sligo). White has a material advantage by having a rook on the board while Black has merely 2 pawns as a compensation. But what a great two pawn they are: just about to be promoted. So, in terms materials, we can say White is way ahead, however, Black also has teeth to…
-
Chess Olympiad Day 7
Team Ireland faced Team Ecuador in Round 7 today. The signs were good before this round, since Team Ecuador were struggling to have a consistent form. They rotate their players often, and only Board 1 and 4 were in positive balance. The team started the round very strong on these specific boards which gave an edge. On Board 1, Conor E Murphy gained some advantage in the opening. On Board 4 there was a considerable advantage from the beginning, so we expected these boards to win. The rest two boards were complicated, according to computers, they were equal positions. Positions,…
-
Chess Olympiad Day 6
Liechtenstein – Ireland ½-3½. In the last couple of rounds Ireland faced stronger opponents, and still managed to compete. After the loss in the last round, it was expected to get a relatively easy opponent. Nonetheless, Liechtenstein shall not be underestimated. It is a small country located between Switzerland and Austria, but after their Chess Federation joined FIDE in 1985, several highly rated tournaments were organised there. All in all, the mean Elo-point difference between the teams were +280 (83% winning chance) from the Irish point of view. The players from the Principality were hard to defeat. On Board 3,…