Half made up of girls

WICKLOW CHESS CLUB recommenced last Thursday to a great start.

For the second year running the Junior Club opened to a fantastic response with twenty kids aged between seven and 13 coming to put their skills to the test.

The junior club is open to beginners and there are instructors there on hand to give guidance.

Nearly half of the junior club this year has been made up of girls which is a first for the club and organiser Seamus Duffy hopes that a female presence will continue.

‘ It is great to see so many young people come to the club. There is a seven- year- old boy who started playing chess at home on the computer and he is delighted to have an opportunity to play the game for real as part of club,’ explained Seamus.

Seamus and Phil Maguire who also instructs the junior club hope to bring team of players into the Bodley Division this year.

‘ The junior club is a great starting point for a kids interested in chess. The Bodley Division is the bottom of the league but it includes adults and children so it would be a great way for them to begin competing,’ said Seamus.

The adult chess club also reconvened on Thursday at The Black Tavern pub.

The ten or so players have become a great attraction with many visiting tourists fascinated by the concentration and tactics of the players.

‘Holding the chess club at the pub has been a great idea because more often than not we get a bit of an audience and sometimes the visitors get involved themselves and have a game,’ said Seamus.

The adult club were promoted to the second division last year in the Leinster League and will have their first league game on September 20.

As the new season has begun Phil has set up a website on http://www.wicklowchess.com/.

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