The 12th Galway Chess Congress, with support from Blackthorne International and the Irish Chess Union, will take place in the Menlo Park Hotel from October 4-6.
Players of all ages and abilities from across the country and abroad will battle it out over the weekend for a share of the €3,300 prize fund.
There are three different competitions, catering to players of all strengths, from novices who have never played in a competition before, to grandmasters. Competitors will play their first game on Friday evening, three more games on Saturday, and their final two games by Sunday afternoon.
Early entrants in the 'Masters' section include Grandmaster Alex Baburin, International Masters Mark Heidenfeld and Vladimir Shveshnikov, and defending champion, International Master Alex Lopez.
Incorporated into this year's congress is the Connacht Chess Championship. The title and Connacht Chess Champion trophy will be awarded to the highest placed player in the Masters section who was either born in Connacht, or who has lived in Connacht for the past twelve months.
This fantastic weekend's entertainment costs a mere €45, with discounts for players under 16, students, retirees, and the unemployed.
There is also a €10 discount on all entry fees received by September 23, so see galwaychess.com soon for details on how to register.
If you cannot make it to the congress, but would be interested in playing chess, pop along to the Galway Chess Club of a Thursday evening, upstairs in the Bridge Centre on St. Mary's Road, for blitz competitions, league matches, friendly games, and more.
For further details contact galwaychess @gmail.com .
