Brady Beats Bunch!
10/06/12 07:58
It was a case of 1 vs 28 in the Loch Garman Arms Hotel on the 14th of May, 2012 as Stephen Brady, 7 times Irish chess Champion, played 28 opponents simultaneously. Chess players from throughout Wexford, including 7 children from a local primary school, availed of a unique opportunity to test their skills against a legend of Irish chess.
The silence of the room masked the drama of 28 David v Goliath tension-filled battles. All the games were well-fought with no easy wins for either side. At the end of the night, Brady unsurprisingly emerged victorious with 23 wins, 2 losses and 3 draws.
Mikol Penzes was the first game to finish. The 13-year old scored an impressive win from a tricky position when the Champion blundered to allow a snap mate. In chess a single error can be fatal and Mikol did not let the opportunity slip. Seamus Halpenny played a steady game, avoiding any tactical fireworks and steered matters to an ending where he had a clear advantage but little opportunity to press it home. Both players were happy to agree a draw in the final position. Former Irish under-16 champion, Mark Berney, was definitely Brady’s strongest opponent on the night. After some pressing, the players agreed a draw in a somewhat unclear ending. John Lacy also drew in game after a long, stoic defence of a much worse endgame.
The surprise of the night however was undoubtedly the performance of Gorey Chess Club member Daire Gohary. Daire played the opening well, obtained a clear advantage and gave an excellent display of how to play with the initiative and not give the opponent space or time to regroup and defend. The wily Brady escaped the worst of the attack to reach an ending with a material deficit, and spectators thought he might be able to hold the game or even turn the tables on Gohary. Daire remained cool under pressure and won clinically in the end. The Irish Champion sportingly remarked afterwards this was the game of the night.
All in attendance had a great night and a collection was made for St. Aidan’s community services.
The silence of the room masked the drama of 28 David v Goliath tension-filled battles. All the games were well-fought with no easy wins for either side. At the end of the night, Brady unsurprisingly emerged victorious with 23 wins, 2 losses and 3 draws.
Mikol Penzes was the first game to finish. The 13-year old scored an impressive win from a tricky position when the Champion blundered to allow a snap mate. In chess a single error can be fatal and Mikol did not let the opportunity slip. Seamus Halpenny played a steady game, avoiding any tactical fireworks and steered matters to an ending where he had a clear advantage but little opportunity to press it home. Both players were happy to agree a draw in the final position. Former Irish under-16 champion, Mark Berney, was definitely Brady’s strongest opponent on the night. After some pressing, the players agreed a draw in a somewhat unclear ending. John Lacy also drew in game after a long, stoic defence of a much worse endgame.
The surprise of the night however was undoubtedly the performance of Gorey Chess Club member Daire Gohary. Daire played the opening well, obtained a clear advantage and gave an excellent display of how to play with the initiative and not give the opponent space or time to regroup and defend. The wily Brady escaped the worst of the attack to reach an ending with a material deficit, and spectators thought he might be able to hold the game or even turn the tables on Gohary. Daire remained cool under pressure and won clinically in the end. The Irish Champion sportingly remarked afterwards this was the game of the night.
All in attendance had a great night and a collection was made for St. Aidan’s community services.