According to one of its contributors, GM Jonathon Levitt, at Bunratty recently, the site has very substantial financial backing from the world number one himself, already has over twenty correspondents around the globe and is aiming sooner rather than later for a NASDAQ flotation.
The circulars are generally weekly, include a round-up of chess news, a list of new / recent publications, software offers etc. I'm spammed from all corners these days so can understand if CIre readers would prefer not to encourage more commercial intrusions but the LCC emails are actually pretty useful ... and they have supported the recent prize competition on this site. NOTE: I won't be sending on any email addresses which are obviously work addresses.
Paul Delaney, ICU Press Officer reports: Alexander Morozevich, at 22
years old, is one of the most exciting chess players in the world today.
He is currently ranked no 5 (rating 2748) in the world and is regarded
as one of the contenders for World Champion Garry Kasparov’s crown.
His fierce and uncompromising attacking chess style is very popular with
chess fans worldwide. The Irish Chess Union are pleased to announce that
next Thursday 6th April at 7.30pm he will give a chess talk in the Loft
Room at Spawell Leisure Complex, Templeogue (close to the end of the M50)
During the informal evening he will discuss some of his most interesting
games and answer questions on a wide variety of chess topics. Joining
him will be resident Irish Grandmaster Alexander Baburin. Full bar facilities
available.
Entry Fee at door: £8 Adults, £5 Juniors/Students.
Below are the results and linked is a background note (courtesy Herbert Scarry) on the Congress with a brief round by round of this year's Masters section won jointly by GMs John Nunn and Mark Hebden and distinguished by fine results by two junior players.
Gonzaga's Sam Collins had a remarkable start to the tournament beating IM Luke McShane (2480), Irish champion Colm Daly (2370) and IM Mark Orr (2320) in successive rounds and later adding a further halfpoint with an enterprising draw against IM Matthew Turner. The nine year old English talent, David Howell, also impressed. After being crushed by Jim McCarthy and Daire McMahon in the first two rounds, the youngster showed mettle to win three games on the trot (v E.Keogh, P.Cafolla and M.O'Cinneide) before holding Paul Delaney to a draw in the final round.
RESULTS: Bunratty Chess Congress 2000, Feb 11-13
Masters section (>ELO 2000): Jt lst GMs J.Nunn, M.Hebden 5/6,
Jt 3rd IM M.Turner, GM T.Miles 4.5. Best Irish prize: C.Daly (4). Grading
prize: S.Collins (3.5). Round
by round report and games download (a selection
of 49 games from the Masters in zipped pgn format).
Challengers sect (1600-1999): lst J.Short 5.5/6, 2nd G.Freeman
5, Jt 3rd W.Rea, P.McCarthy. Best U-1700 P.Hayes (3).
Major sect (1200-1599): lst S.Clemens 5.5, Jt 2nd K.Walsh, N.O’Higgins,
H.Khonjee 5. Grading prizes: G.Murphy, N.Aherne, E.McGarrigle, S.Droste,
P.Loughrey, D.Lynch, L.Crampton, A.McMenamin, G.McMahon.
Minor sect (U1200): Jt lst P.Walsh, J.O'Donoghue. GPs R.O’Connell,
T.Willow, E.McNamee, J.Coakley, T.Naughton.