Fri 8th - Sun 10th Aug 2025
Treacy's West County Hotel, Limerick Road, Ennis, Co. Clare, V95 C9CT

Google map | Ennis Chess Club | ICU event page

Playing Sections

Open Weekender - Open to everyone
35+ - open to players aged 35 or older in the year of the event
50+ - open to players aged 50 or older in the year of the event
60+ - open to players aged 65 or older in the year of the event
Sections with low entries may be merged.

Time control

90 mins + 30 sec/move in all sections
FIDÉ and ICU rated

Round Times

Fri Round 1: 7 pm
Sat Round 2: 10 am, Round 3: 3 pm
Sun Round 4: 10 am, Round 5: 3 pm
Default time 30 mins
Prize giving shortly after last game finishes, around 7.15pm.

Entry fee

Adults €45 and €35 for U18s/Students/Retired/Unwaged or 65+ by Wed 30 July, €15 extra after that if accepted.
Free entry for titled players (GM, WGM, IM, WIM, FM, WFM) who contact John Cassidy by Wed 6 July, full fee after that.

Entries

All entries on the ICU event page linked above. Irish residents must be registered with the ICU before entering.

Live Boards

Top boards in most sections transmitted live, linked from the event page.

Pairings

Pairings for round 1 will be published there by 6 pm the day before the event starts. Late entries will be paired with each other or with anyone who gets an unrequested bye.

Organisers

Chief Organiser: John Cassidy, 087 249 5913, [email protected]
Chief Arbiter: John Loughran

Accommodation

Phone the West County Hotel on 065 686 9600 for good rates for chess players. Woodstock Hotel and Temple Gate are more central.

Stonehaven and Banner Lodge are nearby.

Airbnb
Booking.com

The town centre still retains its charm from medieval times with lots of small shops. The tour is recommended.

Provisional Breakdown of Prizemoney, soon

Current Prizefund € 1,500 subject to entry. Grading Prizes (GP) will be awarded in each section for players within certain rating bands who do not win another prize, using tie-breaks where necessary. Where a player has no FIDÉ rating, their national rating will be used to determine their rating band. In general prize money is shared between players on equal points, although tie-breaks are used where there are multiple players sharing 1st - 3rd prizes, at the organisers' discretion.

Playing Conditions

Expect airy, spacious and pleasant playing conditions with some professional touches. These include name cards on all boards and board numbers, as well as live boards in most sections.

Rules

General

FIDÉ rules apply. If you need something explained or feel your opponent may be breaking a rule please do not hesitate to stop your clock and raise your hand to call an arbiter.

While quiet is expected in the playing hall, players will be allowed to spectate quietly after they finish playing. Spectators should not have electronic devices powered on in the playing areas.

Electronic devices are not permitted in the playing hall, corridor, toilets or outdoor smoking area. An exception is if they are left near the controller's desk, switched off, not on silent. Electronic devices include anything that may make a noise or vibrate including watches, alarms. A metal detector may be used to perform random checks on players during games to detect such devices.

The organizers have the right to refuse entry without giving a reason.

Byes

A player may receive up to two half point byes, except in the last round, provided a request is made before pairings are done. Players should ensure that a bye request was written down and may check that one has been registered on chess-results by choosing the "unpaired" link after the latest round.

A player who receives a 1 point bye due to an odd number should still turn up as they may be offered a game against a late entrant or another player whose opponent failed to show within 30 mins. They may refuse, but if they wish to play they should turn up. These games will count and will be rated unless agreed otherwise.

Before games

Before each game bring your name card with you to your board from the name cards on the table at the end of each section. At the end return them. Be seated early to hear any important announcements.

During games

With a 30 second increment players are required to record their moves to the end of their game, and keep their scoresheet up to date.

After games

At the end of your game please reset the pieces and place the two kings in the centre of the board. If white won place both on white squares. If black one place both on black squares. If the game was drawn place them on e4 and e5. On electronic boards place the kings in the centre immediately, before moving other pieces, so that the result is registered. Do not analyse at the board, but in the analysis room, where sets are provided. Please set these sets up after use. Return your name card to the tables on the side and mark in your score.

Please write the result on the pairings sheet on the wall or noticeboard. If your opponent fails to show 30 mins after the round started call the arbiter to claim a win by default (a walkover). The arbiter will mark in + - or - + on the pairings sheet rather than 1-0 or 0-1, or may offer you a new opponent.

We hope that you enjoy your games and allow others to enjoy theirs.