• Dates: 7th June, 2025
• Rounds: 7
• Time allotment: 10 mins + 5 secs / move
• Location: Cork Bridge Club (Cork Chess Club meeting place)
• Organisers: Cork Chess Leagues in cooperation with Cork Chess Club

We had perfect chess weather on Sunday, 7th June, and a cozy venue at the Cork Chess Club, located in the historic centre of Cork on St. Patrick's Quay. The venue is within easy walking distance of the train and bus stations, which enabled many players from outside Cork to compete in the tournament. The competition could not have taken place without the heroic efforts of the Cork Chess Club—and more specifically, without Andrew Kelly, whose invaluable work ensured that every on-site need was met.

The venue could not accommodate the overwhelming interest in the first rapid play open since 2015. We were able to host only 83 players from 7 countries. The average player rating was 1565, which is higher than that of this year's Mulcahy Memorial—an indication of just how competitive this rapid open was. The full list of players and pairings can be found on the Chess Results website.

Winners and prizes

Players from three clubs, all starting with letter "C" could manage to get into the top 3.

1. Gabriel Landmark (Curragh) did a fantastic performance, won by 6½ out of 7, only allowing a half point to be taken away by others.
2. Oisin O'Sullivan (Clonakilty) lost a point in Round 3 against the brilliant Mark McGrath (the only player who managed to steal a half point against the winner), but after that he gave no mercy, and finished in a tied 2nd place with 6/7.
3. Mihovil Niko Cogelja (Cork) followed the footstep of Oisin, losing only in Round 3, and finishing with 6/7, winning against Mark McGrath (overall 4th) in the last round.

Congratulations to all the winners. (On the image, Niko, Oision, and Gabriel are receiving the trophies from left to right.)

About the Organisers

Cork Chess Leagues

Cork Chess Leagues is a brand-new organisation established to coordinate chess activities in County Cork. It organised the first Post-Primary Championship in Cork this year, with more events planned for the coming seasons. The Leagues calendar also includes all notable chess events—big or small—taking place in County Cork. please check Cork Chess Leagues' webpage

Cork Chess Club

Cork Chess Club Juniors meeting in the City Centre every Friday evening from 19:00. Cork Chess Club webpage

Please reach out to for any information on Chess in Cork and we will be delighted to help.

Chess Coaching in Cork

Our Chief Arbiter, Zsolt Kardkovacs runs a coaching group in Ballyphehane, Cork City every Saturday morning from 10:00 to 13:00 and new members are always welcome. There is also a Chess Summer Camp there from 21st to 25th July (from 10am to 4pm). Please, check the www.pieceofchess.com. The session will be extended to Cork Chess Club, too, on Friday nights from September.

Additional remarks

There were some quite interesting endgames as well, and within the limited amount of time, players managed to solve their problems effectively. For instance, we present a couple of notable endgames that occurred during the tournament, where both sides needed to play very accurately to achieve their goals. Both positions are theoretical draws.

⇧ J. Jagic vs. T. Crothers.

⇧ S. Kelleher vs. M. O'Neill