This was the first time Carlow hosted a rapid tournament, and it was great to see 90 players turn up for the inaugural edition! That’s a solid number for a debut event, and it created a lively, competitive environment.
Carlow, a charming town located in the southeast of Ireland, was just a 35-minute drive away for us. Though not too far from home, it felt like a little getaway, especially with the excitement of a tournament in a new venue.
The event was hosted at the Seven Oaks Hotel, which turned out to be a wonderful venue for a chess tournament – bright, spacious, and comfortable. It had just the right atmosphere to keep the players focused and in good spirits throughout the day.
The tournament was very well organised. Water and fresh fruits were provided for all players, which was a thoughtful touch. Full credit to John Kelly (organiser) and James Forde (Chief Arbiter) for pulling off such a smooth and enjoyable event.
The tournament was a 7-round rapid event, with a time control of 15 minutes plus a 10-second increment.
My Tournament Journey
In Round 4, I was paired with John Kelly and it turned into a delightful match! He’s not only a fantastic organiser but also a great player, making it a game full of energy and good spirits.
I got off to a good start, winning my first four rounds. In Round 5, I was paired against Adam Collins. At this point, we were both on 4/4, co-leading the tournament. We’ve played quite a few games against each other by now, and this one was no different—tough, balanced, and intense. It eventually ended in a draw.
In Round 6, I bounced back with a comfortable win. That set the stage for the final round, where I was paired against Saptorshi Gupta. He came to Ireland on work related to his PhD, and when he saw this tournament happening, he decided to jump in. That’s the charm of chess — it finds its way into every corner of life!
We both had 5.5/6 going into the last round. The game was a quiet, positional battle and eventually ended in a draw.
Tarun’s Performance
Tarun, the top seed, faced an early setback in Round 3 when he lost to Bartczak, Korneliusz. But he bounced back, winning all his remaining games and securing 3rd place in the final standings.
Prize Giving
Overall, we had a great time playing in Carlow Rapid. It was a well-run, fun tournament with good vibes, great chess, and friendly faces. Hoping this becomes a regular fixture on the Irish chess calendar!