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JCSP Libraries Chess Tournament 2026

Kathleen
A stack of colorful booklets titled 'Chess Bingo' featuring a chessboard and pieces, under the subtitle 'JCSP Demonstration Library Project'.
Four silver trophies with handles on a blue table, labeled for different placements in the JOSP Chess Tournament held on January 29, 2023.

29th January saw Trinity Comprehensive in Ballymun host the annual JCSP Library Team Chess Tournament once again.  Eight schools battled across Dublin traffic and the M50 for the chance to compete in both the Swiss-paired event, and the uniquely JCSP “Chess Bingo”.

The participating schools were: Clogher Road Community College, Kylemore College, Presentation Secondary School Warrenmount, Ellenfield Community College, Trinity Comprehensive, Beaufort College, St. Killian’s Community School and Killinarden Community School.

Students participating in a chess tournament inside a library, with several chess boards set up on tables. A teacher is observing and interacting with students.
Chess Bingo in full swing
A brightly colored classroom or library setting with multiple tables, each set up for chess. The room features an assortment of colorful chairs and walls adorned with educational decorations. Various bookshelves are visible in the background.
Calm before the storm
A library setting featuring students engaged in a chess tournament, with multiple games in progress at colorful tables surrounded by bookshelves.
Swiss – Round One

This year the organization of the chess side of things was greatly improved by two new features: 1) the use of SwissOnlineTournament.com which allowed multiple people to update scores as games were won, reducing downtime between rounds and 2) the assistance of Transition Year students from Beaufort College.  All of this meant that I could concentrate on the actual games, although I have to say, the standard of play was very high, and the players were all very respectful of their opponents and no arbitrations were required throughout the entire tournament.

On the logistical side of things, once again Teresa and the Trinity Comprehensive Chess Club did a marvelous job of setting up their library for the event and looking after everyone with snacks, drinks and pizza.  Hosting an event of this size is 90% of the work, and we could not have done it without Teresa and her crew.  Thank you so much!  I also want to thank the JCSP team of Elaine, Dorota and Kathleen for providing official certificates, photographs and support throughout the event.

Individual Champions

A woman with glasses and a green and white patterned sweater stands next to a young man in a sports jacket. The young man is wearing a medal and making a hand gesture. Behind them is a bookshelf filled with colorful books and a promotional banner for a library project.
Gold
Ethan – Killinarden C.S. Tallaght, Dublin with JCSP Librarian Linda Kerr
A man and a boy stand together in a library setting. The boy is wearing a medal and holding a trophy, while the man appears to be a mentor or coach. Bookshelves are visible in the background.
Silver
Edwin – St. Kilian’s C.S. Bray with JCSP Librarian Chris Stokes
Two individuals stand in front of a banner promoting a Junior Certificate school program. One person is wearing glasses and a light sweater, while the other has long hair and is dressed in a dark hoodie. They appear to be part of a library project.
Bronze
Helena – Beaufort College, Navan with teacher Cathal Sheridan

Back to the tournament: After five hard-fought rounds, Helena from Beaufort College took third place, Edwin from St. Killian’s took second place, and Ethan from Killinarden took first place after winning all five of his matches.  I was personally very pleased to see Ethan win this year, as while he narrowly missed out on a trophy last year, he impressed me with his intentional play and unfailing deference to his opponents.  He and his sole teammate Adam played so well between them that Killinarden came second over all despite having only two representatives.

Students participating in a chess tournament, with two boys playing chess at table 1 and another pair at table 5, while adults observe the event.
Tensions were high during the final match between Ethan and Edwin

Team Champions

A group of students and teachers posing for a photo in a library setting, celebrating achievements with trophies and medals. The backdrop features shelves of books and a large decorative flower.
1st Place – St. Kilian’s Community School, Bray, Co. Wicklow
A group photo featuring two teenage boys holding a trophy and a medal, standing in a library setting. They are flanked by two adult women, one on the left wearing a green-and-white patterned sweater, and one on the right in a patterned dress. A banner promoting a junior certificate school program is visible in the background.
2nd Place – Killinarden Community School., Tallaght, Dublin
A group of ten students wearing matching hoodies, smiling and posing together. Some students are holding medals and a trophy, while an adult is standing on the right side of the image. The background features bookshelves with books and a promotional banner.
3rd Place – Trinity Comprehensive School, Ballymun, Dublin
A group of students and adults posing together in a library, with some students holding medals and a trophy, celebrating an academic achievement.
4th Place – Presentation Secondary School, Warrenmount, Dublin

Our wonderful hosts Trinity Comprehensive took third place with Matvey narrowly missing a personal prize with four wins.  Likewise Kayden from Warrenmount helped secure his team to fourth place with another strong record.

However it was St. Killian’s who took the perpetual trophy home with them this year, with very impressive win rates from all their players: Edwin with four, and Rokas, Christo and Jeswin all with three.  Congratulations on a well deserved win!

See ye all again next January 😉

Photo Gallery

Three awards medals displayed in black velvet boxes with checkered ribbons, featuring gold, silver, and bronze finishes.
A wooden shield-shaped plaque with silver shields for individual achievements, commemorating the JCSP Annual Team Chess Tournament.
  • A group of young people playing chess at various tables in a library setting, with two focused players in the foreground sitting at Table 1, surrounded by others in the background.
  • A group of students playing chess in a library, focused on their games with chess boards set up in front of them.
  • Group of children playing chess at tables in a library, with multiple chessboards and bookshelves in the background.
  • Two young boys playing chess at a table in a library, focused on the game. One boy is in a plaid shirt and the other in a patterned t-shirt, with chess pieces on a checkerboard.
  • A group of students participating in a chess tournament inside a library, surrounded by bookshelves and colorful artwork, with several chess boards set up on tables.
  • A group of students engaged in a chess tournament in a library, with two boys playing a game at the foreground, focused on the chessboard.
  • Two young players engaged in a chess game at a table in a library, with bookshelves in the background.
  • Two students playing chess at tables, with multiple players in the background. One table labeled 'Table 6' and the other 'Table 10'.
  • Two children playing chess at a table in a library. The girl has long hair and is wearing a red sweater, while the boy is in a brown jacket. Signs indicate their respective tables.
  • Two young people engaged in a chess match at a library, surrounded by other players at various tables. The setting features colorful chairs and bookshelves in the background.
  • Two children playing chess at a table in a busy room filled with other chess players and spectators, colorful chairs around the tables.
  • A group of students engaged in a chess tournament in a library setting, with several chess boards on tables and bookshelves in the background.
  • A group of young people playing chess at a long table, with multiple chessboards visible, surrounded by others engaged in conversation.
  • Two young girls playing chess at a table in a classroom setting, with colorful chairs and multiple chess boards in the background.
  • Two children shaking hands after a chess match in a library with multiple chess games in progress.
  • Group of six people standing in a library with bookshelves in the background. The individuals are smiling and dressed in casual attire, with a green carpet visible underfoot.
  • A man and a young boy are playing chess at a table in a lively classroom filled with students. The man is focused on the game, wearing glasses and a gray sweatshirt, while the boy in a blue sweater is making a move on the board.
  • A group of four individuals posing in a library setting, with a banner in the background promoting a Junior Certificate School Programme. Two students, wearing medals, are flanked by two adults.
  • Four individuals standing in front of a library backdrop, with a banner for a library program. The group includes two students, one wearing a school uniform with a medal, and the other holding a booklet. Two adults are also present.
  • Group photo of students and teachers at a school event, with participants receiving medals and certificates, in a library setting.
  • Group photo of students holding medals, standing in front of a library bookshelf.
  • Group of students posing together in a library, some wearing medals, with bookshelves in the background.
  • Group of students and teachers posing in a library, some wearing medals with red and white ribbons, celebrating an achievement.
  • A group photo of four individuals at an award ceremony, with three students holding medals and trophies, displaying their achievements. They are standing in front of a library backdrop with bookshelves.
  • A group of students posing for a photo in a library, all wearing medals, with bookshelves in the background.
  • A group of five individuals standing together in a library setting, smiling and displaying medals. The backdrop features shelves of books and a promotional banner for a library project.
A man with glasses and a beard gestures with his hands while speaking in front of a colorful banner that includes text related to a certificate program.
Neil Kettles JCSP Librarian Beaufort College, Navan

Published by Kathleen

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