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The 2003 Irish Championships was won by Stephen Brady on an impressive 8/9. This is his fourth Irish title [91-92-01 being the others] and his 2nd in three years. Leading from an early stage he was rarely in trouble and aside from draws with the number one and two seeds he won all his games with a good combination of experience and determination. He was a popular and most deserved winner too as he is one of the most active players in Ireland. He now has an automatic place on the Irish Olympiad team in 2004, but it remains to be seen if he accepts this place. He declined such an offer in 2002 and has preferred to play in other international events instead, narrowly missing an IM norm earlier this year in an open in Italy. Ian Doyle
Despite a general decline in chess throughout Ireland {plus the absence of virtually any coherent or competent administration/promotion of chess in Ireland} and in particular the national championships, this years event nevertheless is stronger than last year's and has attracted quite a good field, with no less than six former Irish Champions participating. The top seed and one of the main favorites is your humble narrator Colm Daly. I had entered some time ago but actually was really a very unlikely participant. Another more welcome surprise is the participation of second seed and the only participating IM Mark Orr who has not been seen too often in Irish championships this last decade. His presence without doubt also adds to the prestige and value of the tournament. He too will no doubt be one of the main favorites, although for myself I feel that Stephen Brady probably has more chances to win. A regular in the Irish for many years Stephen also won this event most recently in 2001 for the third time and for some people will be the main favorite to win. Another former Champion, Phillip Short will also be regarded as a clear favorite. Capable of beating anyone in the field on the day he too will be hard to stop. Of the others in the field I can't help feel that the only other real contender is Mel O Cinneide. Mel had a golden chance last year but fell at the crucial moments. Maybe this year will see him make a breakthrough? The only thing against him is not having won it before and the hunger of the other main contenders. Given my previous predictions from last year and how wrong I was about the eventual winner then. It may well be someone other than those mentioned above who prevails this year. I doubt it though, and I don't think I am risking much by saying that it will be won by either Brady,Short,Orr, O Cinneide and or, of course, myself!
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