by John Richards
Malahide is a small place on the coast just outside Dublin. This year, it held its first tournament to celebrate the new millenium and attracted 78 players. Not a Kilkenny size yet, but just give it a few years.Malahide is a gem of a place to hold a tournament. Being just a short bus ride from Dublin Airport, and easily accessible from Dublin itself, makes it an ideal place to spend a long weekend. Malahide is not like a typical British seaside resort. There is a yachting marina, good pubs, and a fine selection of restaurants. Its excellent location means Malahide is now a place of money, with houses starting around £250,000. Okay, that's Irish punts, but it's a lot in British pounds as well.
The place has its own sort of character. I especially liked the name of Raj O'Brien's Irish Indian Tandoori. There is even a Japanese restaurant, for God's sake. The pubs themseleves seem to be busy all the time.
I arrived on the Friday and spent the day in Dublin centre, concentrating on preparing with a few pints of Guinness. The tournament was due to start at 9:30 on Saturday morning, but this became a flexible start time and I think we finally got underway about 10:15. One of the strange things about Irish tournaments (for us Brits) is that you are expected to bring your own equipment. I'd taken a clock, but no set or board meant I had to put up with whatever my opponent brought. This is not always a pleasant experience and I think I might have to take my own next time.
The Open had a first prize of £500 and attracted some 2300's and 2200's amongst its 30 players. I was the only Brit, somewhat to my surprise, but put up a good account of myself and finished tie third, losing only to Colm Daly. I picked up an engraved clock as the U-2100 grading prize before having to dash to the airport for my flight back to Bristol. Pity, it looked like a good drinking session was about to get underway.
The organizers say they will run another tournament next year in the hope they can make it an annual event. The date may change to the May Bank Holiday weekend, but that's still under consideration. Keep your eyes open, and get your entry in. You won't regret it!