Last week, Tarun and I played in the IV Valencia Cuna del Ajedrez tournament in Valencia, Spain. It was our first time visiting this vibrant coastal city, and we were joined by a few other Irish players – Jacob, Kavin, Patryk, and Finn – who all traveled with us on the same flight. There was already a fun sense of camaraderie before the tournament even began!
First Impressions: Heat, Sea & City Vibes
Valencia greeted us with a scorching welcome – I expected it to be hot, but the humid air near the sea took things to the next level. Despite the intense heat, the city had a really nice vibe. We didn’t explore much beyond the area we were staying in, which was close to Politecnica University where the tournament was hosted. The surroundings were quiet, academic, and surprisingly modern, but the beach and overall atmosphere of the city added a lot of charm.
The Venue
Thankfully, the tournament venue was well-organized with excellent air conditioning and a spacious, comfortable hall. We played in one of the University’s buildings, and it turned out to be quite fascinating. Inside, there was an array of old telecommunication devices on display – from vintage televisions and rotary telephones to antique cameras. It gave the venue a mini-museum feel!
The Tournament: Ups and Downs
Tarun’s Impressive Run
Tarun had a fantastic performance! He scored 6/9, losing just one game and finishing in 10th place overall – so close to achieving a GM norm. Some of his games were intense and memorable:
Top seed Fedorchuk narrowly escapes Tarun – A thrilling battle that kept everyone on edge.
Tarun was two pawns up with a clear winning advantage. He played the natural move Nxb8, capturing White’s bishop — but was it the right choice?
Tarun – Dimitar – A well-played positional grind.
Chen – Tarun
A nice tactical game by Tarun.
My Own Journey
For me, the tournament had a rough start. I lost my first two games, and although I recovered with some wins and draws, things just didn’t quite click this time. I ended with 4.5/9, not the result I was hoping for – but I learned a lot. Every loss teaches something, and I’ve come away with clarity on where I need to improve, which motivates me to come back stronger.
Wrapping Up: A Trip to Remember
Despite the highs and lows over the board, we truly enjoyed playing in Valencia. The city was beautiful, the beach was a nice bonus, and the organisers did a great job with the event. Sharing the experience with fellow Irish players made it all the more memorable.
Fun story: Before the first round, all of us Irish players were chatting at the tournament venue. Jacob joked, “There are five of us playing here – we’ll probably end up getting paired at some point!” And guess what? That’s exactly what happened – Jacob was paired against his own roommate Patryk in the final round! The odds were low, but chess has a funny way of making things happen. It’s never an easy feeling to play someone you know… Have you experienced that? Let us know in the comments!
We’ll carry forward the lessons, the memories, and the sun-soaked chess vibes of Valencia into our next tournaments!