Chess U16 A Team V Castleknock College

The Blackrock College Junior A team defeated Castleknock in their opening league match.

Junior A Team: Conor Hughes and Liam Norton (both 2nd Year), Matthew Collins, Patrick Curley and sub Andrew McCarthy (all 3rd Year)

Conor was on board 1. He started out well, trading a Bishop for a Rook but lost a Knight and continued to lose a few more Pawns. In the end he was forked by a Rook and a King for Checkmate.
Liam was on board 2. He opened with the Queens Gambet and took a hold of the game after his opponent made a blunder by giving Liam his Knight. He finished the game by Checkmating him.

Matthew was on board 3. This game started off very evenly and as they progressed his opponent made a blunder and Matthew won 2 pawns. Matthew played quite defensively and nearing the end he started to trade pieces and taking his Rook with his Knight. He then finished off by Checking mating him with his rook.

Patrick was on board 4. He started off with a good opening. He played to fork his Queen and King. His opponent made a blunder, losing his Knight. This allowed Patrick to fork his Queen even quicker and winning.

Andrew was on board 5. The game started off evenly, but Andrew made a blunder and lost 2 Pawns. He made a few more mistakes without thinking them fully through. Andrew lost his match.
The match finished 3-2 to Blackrock College A team.

Castleknock do not have a second Junior team but they brought their Minor team for a friendly against our Junior B team. This team consists of Mark McCabe, Jamie Blackburn, John Duffy, (3rd Year) Charlie Parsons and Andrew Welch (both 2nd Years). The Junior B won 5-0.

Congratulations on these victories. We wish you well for the season. I thank Ms Groves for her organisation and encouragement of the boys.