Galway players perform well in Bunratty

Club members narrowly missed out on prizes in Ireland’s top tournament in Bunratty earlier this month.

The nearest to a prize was Jason Rawlinson, in the Major section, who started with 4 straight wins, putting him tied for first with just one other player.  Unfortunately tiredness overtook him on the Sunday, and he ended with a loss and a draw for 4½ points, which was still good enough for fourth equal.  Other good results in the Major were Eamonn Abberton and Carlos Silva, who both came tenth equal with 4 points, and there was an excellent performance by young Denis Ruschko, who scored well above his rating with 3½ points, including a draw in the first round with the player who eventually came second – and his only loss of the weekend was against our own Carlos.  Denis has accomplished with ease the difficult step up a level from last year. Paul Ward scored 2½ points, also seeming to tire on the Sunday.

In the Minor section, our star was another of our young juniors, Zalan Nemeth, who went through the tournament undefeated for a score of 4½, and ninth place.  The slightly older David Piercey scored 3 points, also fading somewhat in the second half.

In the second-highest section, the Challengers, Pete Morriss, who is still recovering from a serious illness, scored 3 wins in the 4 games he was able to play, which was something of a boost to the morale in his convalescence.