Firstly, I wish to thank our previous Secretary, Kevin Summons Walsh, for all the hard work he put in over his three year tenure. While Kevin is taking a break from chess at the moment, I look forward to his return at some point in the future, hopefully sooner rather than later.

We have seen a lot of change in the Club since our last AGM two years ago. The most important, of course, being the most obvious, in respect of quitting Millmount House and moving to The Ierne Sports and Social Club in October 1999. While Millmount House served us well during our tenure, there were difficulties around opening times (and closing times!). This recent move has been a most positive development and our special thanks go to Gerry Barry, The Committee and others who helped make this happen. Given the fantastic resources potentially available to us, we should think about having our own Elm Mount Chess Congress in 2000.

Some players have moved on and we have seen a big influx of new members, all of whom are warmly welcomed to the Club. While individuals have joined, our numbers have been also boosted by members from Artane Club, which wound up this summer. The net effect of all this means that Elm Mount Chess Club remains one of the largest clubs and of course the premier Chess Club in Ireland with membership now at forty eight. Within this, we have witnessed an expansion of numbers in the intermediate rating band, which should see Elm Mount do very well indeed in the leagues this season.

Of significant importance to the Club has been the creation of the Elm Mount Chess Club Site on the internet by John Loughran, who deserves our thanks and congratulations. This site advances the profile of the club and provides valuable information both for members and non-members who wish to know more about us. Gerry McElligott, Ciaran Quinn and Eugene McMorrow also contribute a lot to this site. John was also elected to the executive of the I.C.U. and took on the position of Tournament Director. His other site, The Irish Chess Calendar, also provides an informative service.

While some of the club tournaments have lapsed over the past few years, we have continued to run strong Club Championships, organised in 1998 by myself, and in 1999 by Ciaran Quinn, who has since taken on the position of Club Tournament Director, previously held by John Loughran.

The inspirational series of lectures given by GM Alexander Baburin earlier this year, proved to be an enormous success not just for ourselves but also for players from other clubs. We should think about having further lectures next year.

It can be seen from the foregoing that Elm Mount Chess Club continues to be a strong, dynamic club and it is you, the members, both past and present, who have who have made it thus. I look forward to us going from strength to strength into the new millenium.

I enjoyed compiling the Yearbook this time round. If I have inadvertently left anyone or anything out, then I apologise in advance. A big thank you to Kevin Summons-Walsh for his invaluable assistance in photocopying the Yearbook and for providing 50 copies, gratis. I want to thank Fred Armstrong for organising the trophies for this year’s AGM and Ciaran Quinn and John Loughran for organising the Blitz Tournament on the night.

With best wishes for a great Christmas and New Year in 2000.

Eugene Donohoe,

Secretary.

Rating List Dec. 1999

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RANK ICU No. NAME GRADING

1 1890 Stephen Morris 2096

2 1078 Gerry McElligott 1998

3 1398 Ciaran Quinn 1945

4 1321 Ray O’Rourke 1906

5 382 Oliver Dunne 1812

6 21 Fred Armstrong 1806

7 1062 Alan McDonagh 1805

8 1222 Tom O’Brien 1725

9 788 Sean Loftus 1670

10 150 Pat Byrne 1668

11 2651 Gerry Barry 1657

12 3605 Tom O’ Flynn 1657

13 795 John Loughran 1648

14 3172 Bernard Boyle 1639

15 1342 Stephen O’Sullivan 1630

16 1639 Alec Tyrell 1588

17 1198 Donal O’Danachair 1587

18 3299 Kevin Summons-Walsh 1583

19 446 Patrick Flynn 1576

20 48 Gerry Behan 1559

21 1733 Pat Fitzsimons 1551

22 574 Ray Hearty 1544

23 3767 Gerry Maher 1540

24 3908 Kevin McGrane 1493

25 261 Greg Coyle 1481

26 1029 Pat McCarthy 1469

27 1399 Deborah Quinn 1450

28 2542 Larry Daly 1451

29 985 Victor Murray 1435

30 1536 Peter Scott 1434

31 435 Eamonn Fitzgerald 1395

32 1151 Eugene McMorrow 1389

33 2105 Donal Garrihy 1381

34 4190 Eugene Donohoe 1314

35 4839 Karl Vernor 1312

36 2928 John O’Driscoll 1310

37 50779 Thomas McManus 1293

38 2525 John Dooley 1185

39 7164 Kevin Rajaratnam 1184

40 97 Brian Brennan 1131

41 4075 Terry O’Connor 1123

42 3589 Francis Doherty 1111

43 4837 Mick Cox 1083

44 981 Kevin Murray 1009

45 2537 Hugh Forkin 933

46 2007 Liam Daly 840

47 Tommy D’Arcy U/G

48 Eamonn Pitts Unknown

League Results

1997/1998

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Armstrong Cup, Div 1.

lst Crumlin 59.5,

2nd St Benildus 53.5,

3rd Bray 50,

4th Phibsboro 48,

5th Rathmines 47,

6th Public Service 43,

7th Gonzaga 41,

8th Kilkenny 40,

9th Celbridge 39,

10th Elm Mount 37,

11th Dun Laoire 34.5,

12th Dublin 29.5.

Last two relegated.

BOARD PRIZE : ALAN MAC DONAGH.

Heidenfeld Trophy, Div 2

lst Rathmines A 56,

2nd UCD 52.5 (both promoted),

3rd St Benildus 48,

4th Phibsboro 47.5,

5th Malahide 44,

6th Elm Mount 43.5,

7th Ballyfermot 41,

8th Rathmines B 40.5,

9/10th Artane / Portmarnock 40,

11th Drogheda 36,

12th Tallaght 33.

BOARD PRIZE : JOHN LOUGHRAN.

Ennis Shield, Div 3

lst Lucan 52.5,

2nd Bray 43.5,

3rd Skerries 35,

=4th-5th Carlow 34

=4th-5th Finglas 34

6th Rathmines 32.5,

7th Elm Mount 31,

8th Dublin 30.5,

9th St Benildus 28.5,

10th Phibsboro 24,

11th Trinity 23.5,

12th Athlone 23.

BOARD PRIZE : DONAL GARRIHY

BA Cup Nth, Div 5

lst Phibsboro A 29.5,

2nd Drogheda 29,

3rd Phibsboro B 26.5,

4th Trinity 23.5,

5th Ayrfield 22.5,

6th Elm Mount 20,

7th Malahide, Swords 19.5,

9th Dublin 19,

10th Artane 15.

BOARD PRIZE :

League Results

1998/1999

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Armstrong Cup, Div 1.

1^stBray 57;

2^nd Crumlin 54;

3^rd Phibsboro 51;

4^th U.C.D. 48;

Jt. 5^th Kilkenny 45;

StBenildus 45;

7^th Elm Mount 43;

8^th Rathmines A 42;

9^th Rathmines B 39;

10^th Gonzaga 38;

11^th Celbridge 35;

12^th Public Service 28.

BOARD PRIZE : ALAN MAC DONAGH.

Heidenfeld Trophy, Div 2.

1^st Dun Laoghaire 57;

2^nd Phibsboro 52;

3^rd Malahide 50.5;

4^th Rathmines 41.5;

Jt.5^th Bray 41;

Lucan 41;

Jt. 7^th Elm Mount 39.5;

Portmarnock 39.5;

9^th St Benildus 37.5;

10^th Ballyfermot 33.5;

11^th Artane 27.

BOARD PRIZE : ALEC TYRELL.

Ennis Shield, Div 3.

1^st Tallaght 42.5;

2^nd Drogheda 42;

Jt. 3^rd Kilkenny 36;

Dublin 36;

5^th Phibsboro 35;

6^th Finglas 34;

7^th St Benildus 33.5;

8^th Carlow 33;

9^th Bray 30.5;

10^th Elm Mount 29;

11^th Rathmines 24;

12^th Public Service 18.5.

BOARD PRIZE : EUGENE MC MORROW.

BA Cup Nth, Div 5.

1^st Lotus IBM 34;

2^nd Skerries 29;

3^rd Inchicore A 28;

4^th Elm Mount 27.5;

Jt. 5^th Dublin 25.5;

Phibsboro 25.5;

7^th Ayrefield 25;

8^th Drogheda 22.5;

9^th Malahide 21;

10^th Swords 17.5;

11^th Inchicore B 16.

BOARD PRIZE :

ELM MOUNT CHESS CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP 1998.

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There were five sections in 1998 in the usual all play all format, with a total entry of thirty one players. Section A had seven players and section C had five players while the other sections all had six per section.

SECTION A was hotly contested with Gerry Mac Elligott and Oliver Dunne jointly taking first place with four out of six.

SECTION B had a neat first to sixth finish. Sean Loftus took first place with four out of five. Donal O’Danachair came second on three and a half.

SECTION C was a more contested affair with Alec Tyrell taking first place on three out of five. Greg Coyle and Deborah Quinn came joint second on two.

SECTION D also saw a clear first to sixth finish with Eugene McMorrow taking first prize on four out of five. John Dooley came second on three and a half.

SECTION E unfortunately saw Kevin Mason eventually opting out of the tournament by not playing any of his games, which was a shame for the rest of the section and ensuring that the rest got at least one point via a walkover. In the event, Michael Cox played a stormer and took first place on four and a half.

Each of the Section Controllers did a magnificent job ensuring that the Tournament was run smoothly and fairly. Respectively, they were Victor Murray, Ray O’Rourke, Karl Vernor, Brian Brennan and Eugene McMorrow.

Eugene Donohoe,

Tournament Organiser.

Elm Mount Club Championships 1999

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The Elm Mount club championships in 1999 were held in the traditional all-play-all format, with sections decided (roughly) by grade. Initially there were 4 sections, 2 of 8 players and 2 of 6 players, but after a couple of withdrawals the final line-up was:-
Section A 7 players

Section B 8 players

Section C 6 players

Section D 5 players

Section A was won convincingly by Ray O Rourke with 5.5/6. Ray beat his nearest rival, Gerry Mc Elligott and only conceded a draw in the last round, when he had already won the tournament.

Section B was won by Gerry Barry, who won his first 3 games and always seemed likely to win. However, a late loss to Alec Tyrell meant that he only won by half a point with 5.5/7, with Alec Tyrell and Ray Hearty both on 5/7. The three leading players each had one win and one loss against each other.

Section C was the first section to be completed, and was very competitive, with the result in doubt until the last game was finished. Eugene McMorrow won with 3.5/5, followed by Eugene Donohoe on 3/5. Two others had 2.5/5.

Section D was won by John Dooley, who, along with Ray O'Rourke, was unbeaten. Kevin Murray finished second, half a point behind.

The tournament began in late March, after the leagues were finished, with the initial schedule specifying a game roughly every 2 weeks. As tournament controller, I was not strict about enforcing the schedule, preferring that games were actually played. Based on this year's tournament, I have one recommendation for next year : that all sections should have 6 players only. This should ensure that all sections were finished well before the new season began.

The final results were :-

Section A	FA			SL			JL			AM			GM			RO			CQ
F Armstrong				0			1			½			0			0			0			2½/6
S Loftus	1						0			½			0			0			1			2½/6
J Loughran	0			1						0			0			0			0			1/6
A McDonagh	½			½			1						0			½			0			2½/6
G McElligott	1			1			1			1						0			1			5/6				2nd
R O'Rourke	1			1			1			½			1						1			5½/6				1st
C Quinn	1			0			0			1			1			0						3/6				3rd

Section B		PB			GB				GC		PF			RH			DO			AT				BB
P Byrne					0				0d		1			0			½			½				½			2½/7
G Barry			1					1			1			1			1				0			½				5½/7	1st
G Coyle			0d			0					1			½			0d				0			0d				1½/7
P Fitzsimons			0			0		0						0			½				0			0				½/7
R Hearty			1			0		½			1						½				1			1				5/7	=2nd
D O Danachair			½			0		0d			½			½							½			1				3/7
A Tyrell			½			1		1			1			0			½							1				5/7	=2nd
B Boyle			½			½		0d			1			0			0				0							2/7

Section C		LD			ED				TM			EM			VM			PS
L Daly					0				0			½			1			1					2½/5		=3rd
E Donohoe		1							½			0			1			½					3/5		2nd
T McManus		1			½							0			½			0					2/5
E McMorrow		½			1				1						1			0					3½/5		1st
V Murray		0			0				½			0						1					1½/5
P Scott		0			½				1			1			0								2½/5		=3rd

Section D		NC			JD				KM			TO			HF
N Connors					½				½			0d			0d			1/4
J Dooley		½							1			1w			½			3/4					1st
K Murray		½			0							1w			1			2½/4					2nd
T O Connor		0d			0d				0d						1			1/4
H Forkin		1w			½				0			0						1½/4					3rd

Tournament controller

Ciaran Quinn

ENNIS SHIELD 1997/1998 REPORT

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The ENNIS SHIELD team for this season was the same as the previous couple of seasons. The team was: -

1. RAY HEARTY 574 1500

2. LARRY DALY 2542 1451

3. EUGENE MC MORROW 1151 1448

4. DEBBIE QUINN 1399 1439

5. VICTOR MURRAY 985 1420

6. DONAL GARRIHY 2105 1424

We were also ably assisted with various substitutes during the season:

7. KARL VERNOR 4839 1057

8. EUGENE DONOHOE 4190 1330

9. ROBERT BAEDORF 7231 1400

10. FRANCIS DOHERTY 3589 1111

Grading wise our team looked like a good middle of road team for this division this season. This appeared to be the case as we drew our first game against ATHLONE (3‑3) and beat RATHMINES (3.5-2.5). Then we hit the wall in the form of LUCAN where we proceeded to lose (0-6). This did not turn out so badly as most of the rest of the teams also lost 0-6 against them and they finished the season with 9 points to spare over the second placed team BRAY who in turn had 8.5 points to spare over third place SKERRIES.

The season went reasonably well for us but we knew from early on that once again we would be down among the bottom four teams struggling to avoid relegation. This was or seemed to be our most comfortable position having been there for the past three or four seasons. In the end going into the last round we were going to finish third or fourth from bottom along with PHIBSBORO unless we were beaten at least 5-1. We were up against our bogey team TRINITY. This is a team like ourselves grading wise and we have never beaten them.

The team they presented on the day out graded us on every board except board 6. But their board 6 player was a very experienced and tenacious player and not easily beaten. Although only 1243 he drew with our board 6 player DONAL (1424). As many games are won off the board as on, and many teams are defeated before they even get to the match, and so it was with TRINITY. They had trouble with their own club venue and some players and even on the day of the final round they were not sure if they had any equipment with them. The result was a 5.5-0.5 win for us, the best win we have had in a very very long time. This result jumped us up to 7th place well away from the relegation zone. If trinity had got just another 0.5 point they would have overtaken PHIBSBORO and remained in the ENNIS SHIELD.

Team consistency is very important and I have to say that the four substitutes named above were all used only once and none were needed on the final day. I would like to thank all the players for their efforts and making my life as team captain all that much easier, knowing that the full team would nearly always be available. I would also like to thank our controller JACK KILLANE who was very helpful throughout the season. The full table of results is shown later on.

EUGENE MC MORROW

ENNIS SHIELD 1998/1999 REPORT

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The ENNIS SHIELD team for this season was the same as the previous couple of seasons. The team was: -

7. RAY HEARTY 574 1538

8. DEBBIE QUINN 1399 1455

9. LARRY DALY 2542 1414

10. VICTOR MURRAY 985 1418

11. EUGENE MC MORROW 1151 1380

12. DONAL GARRIHY 2105 1380

We were also ably assisted with various substitutes during the season:

7. BRIAN BRENNAN 97 1117

8. TERRY O'CONNOR 4075 1143

9. HUGH FORKIN 2537 971

10. JOHN O'DRISCOLL 2928 1368

11. KEVIN MURRAY 981 1032

Compared to last season, even though we had the same players the team looked a little weaker on paper. As with last season we started off well a loss (2.5-3.5) against PUBLIC SERVICE and two wins against KILKENNY (4.5-1.5) and ST. BENILDUS (4‑2). Then as with last season we hit a brick wall. This time it was DROGHEDA. All of DROGHEDA's players were rated lower than us even though we were using our first substitution of the season. We were beaten 5.5-0.5. The loss of VICTOR MURRAY from the team, due to an accident, was felt until his return after the Christmas break when we had our next win against PHIBSBORO (4-2).

After this match we lost another stalwart of our team, due to work commitments, DEBORAH QUINN. As you can see from the above list of substitutes we were using more than last season. In fact we had to use three of them twice and in all had to substitute eight times compared to just four times last season.

Once again we were in our usual battle to avoid relegation but as per last year one team was definitely being relegated and the second from bottom team were 5 points behind us going into the last round and they were playing us. They could only survive if they beat us 5.5-0.5 or 6-0. In the event we drew 3-3 and so the great escape continues into its 9th or 10th season.

Consistency again was the hallmark of this team in that, apart from VICTOR who was out for three matches and DEBBIE who missed our last four, there was only one other substitute made for the whole season. I would like to thank the team again for their performances during the season and keeping my job to a minimum. I would also like to thank JACK KILLANE our controller for this season again for his help during the season. The full table of results will be shown later on.

EUGENE MC MORROW

Special Achievements 1997/1999

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Gerry Barry:

1^st Elm Mount Championships, Section B, 1999.

Gerry Behan:

Jt 3^rd Ballyfermot, Intermediate,1997:

1^st, City of Dublin, Junior, 1997.

Bernard Boyle:

Jt 2nd, Drogheda Congress. Section C 1999.

Brian Brennan:

2^nd Elm Mount Championships, Section E, 1998.

Michael Cox:

1^st Elm Mount Championships, Section E, 1998.

Greg Coyle:

Jt. 2^nd Elm Mount Championships, Section C, 1998.

Eugene Donohoe:

Grading Prize, Kilkenny Congress, Junior, 1997.

2^nd Elm Mount Championships, Section C, 1999.

John Dooley:

2^nd Elm Mount Championships, Section D, 1998.

1^st Elm Mount Championships, Section D, 1999.

Oliver Dunne:

3^rd Ballyfermot, Senior, 1997:

Jt. 1^st Elm Mount Championships, Section A, 1998.

Ray Hearty:

Jt. 2^nd Elm Mount Championships, Section B, 1999.

Sean Loftus:

ICU Committee post 1999/2000.

1^st Elm Mount Championships, Section B, 1998.

John Loughran:

Jt 2nd Irish Championships, Intermediate, Drogheda.1999:

Jt 2nd, Drogheda Congress, Section C 1999:

4/9, Avoine Open, Loire Valley, France, 1999.

Tournament Director, ICU, 1998/9.

Gerry MacElligott:

IBCA Delegate to ICU, up to 1999.

Jt. 1^st Elm Mount Championships, Section A, 1998.

2^nd Elm Mount Championships, Section A, 1999.

Eugene McMorrow:

1^st Elm Mount Championships, Section D, 1998.

1^st Elm Mount Championships, Section C, 1999.

Stephen.Morris, Jt 2nd Dublin Classic. 1998:

Kevin Murray:

2^nd Elm Mount Championships, Section D, 1999.

Donal O’Danachair:

2^nd Elm Mount Championships, Section B, 1998.

Ray O’Rourke:

2^nd, Kilkenny Congress, Major. 1997:

Jt 2^nd Dublin Classic 1997:

Jt 2^nd, St Benildus Congress, Open. 1998:

2^nd, Bray Rapid Play 1998:

lst, Limerick Congress, Senior, 1998:

Jt 2^nd Cork Congress 1999.

Jt. 2^nd Elm Mount Championships, Section A, 1998.

1^stElm Mount Championships, Section A, 1999.

Ciaran Quinn:

Jt. 2^nd Elm Mount Championships, Section A, 1998.

Deborah Quinn

Jt 3rd Ballyfermot, Intermediate,1997:

Jt 2nd Drogheda Congress, Section C, 1998:

Ladies Prize Rathmines Congress 1998.

Jt. 2^nd Elm Mount Championships, Section C, 1998.

Alec Tyrell:

1^st Elm Mount Championships, Section C, 1998.

Jt. 2^nd Elm Mount Championships, Section B, 1999.

PROPOSALS and NOMINATIONS.

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PROPOSALS.

That the post of Webmaster be created.

Proposed by John Loughran.

Seconded by Eugene Donohoe.

That Elm Mount Chess Club organise an event in 2000 to be called Elm Mount Chess Congress.

Proposed by Eugene Donohoe.

Seconded by John Loughran.

NOMINATIONS.

That Eugene Donohoe takes on the position of Secretary.

Proposed by John Loughran.

Seconded by Gerry McElligott.

That John Loughran takes on the position of Webmaster.

Proposed by Gerry Barry.

Seconded by Eugene McMorrow.

Report of AGM 20^th December 1999.

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The AGM was well attended and excellently chaired by Club President, Victor Murray. Following an hour of lively debate and discussion, the meeting moved on to an Xmas celebration and a fun filled five minute speed chess tournament controlled by Club Tournament Director, Ciaran Quinn and Club Webmaster, John Loughran.

The Elm Mount Chess Club Yearbook, incorporating the seasons 1997/1998 and 1998/1999, was presented to the Meeting by Secretary, Eugene Donohoe, and was adopted.

Victor opened the meeting and reviewed the achievements of the past two years. In particular, he highlighted the positive aspects of moving to The Ierne Sport and Social Club; increased membership; website designed by John Loughran; comprehensive yearbook, incorporating updated membership details, achievements and reports. Some housekeeping issues were also addressed. Both the Secretary’s and Treasurer’s Reports were adopted. The healthy state of the club’s finances was also noted.

A number of nominations and proposals were then addressed.

Eugene Donohoe and John Loughran were respectively elected to the positions of Secretary and Webmaster. The other members of the Committee were returned. A proposal from Eugene Donohoe that Elm Mount organise it’s own Chess Congress was enthusiastically adopted and a committee was established to follow this up, with a view to hosting a Congress later in the year.

John Loughran was congratulated on his website work. He initiated a lively debate on what membership details should be on the site. In the end, we agreed that only names and email adresses would be posted, with the addition of telephone numbers of Committee Members.

A suggestion to have allegro finishes in the Club Championships was not supported but provided a useful forum to review the format of the Club Championships. Many people felt that having an adjournment provided a valuable opportunity to study endgame technique.

Following closure of the AGM by Victor Murray the members went on to an enthusiastic Xmas celebration. John Loughran and Ciaran Quinn organised a handicap five minute blitz tournament, which was enjoyed by all. In the event, Michael Cox took possession of the first prize £20 turkey voucher with Ray O'Rourke taking second place and a smaller turkey!.

All in all this was a most successful AGM and a very pleasant pre Xmas booze up with old and new friends in the convivial surroundings of our new premises.

We look forward to an even better future.

Eugene Donohoe,

Secretary.

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ELM MOUNT CHESS CLUB COMMITTEE

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Armstrong Cup, Div 1.

Special Achievements 1997/1999

Ray O’Rourke:

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PROPOSALS.

NOMINATIONS.

Report of AGM 20th December 1999.

Report of AGM 20^th December 1999.