In an era where weekend chess is dominated by the Swiss format, for over 40 years the Drogheda Congress and its spiritual predecessor in Wexford have been played using multiple 6 player all-play-all sections. For the 2014 renewal, the organisers made this momentous announcement:
“This year the format is changing and will involve 6 round Swiss. Many people have asked for this so we have decided to change our usual all play all format and see how it goes.”
Numbers competing had shown a steady upward movement in recent years so was this change taking an unnecessary risk? The 2014 Congress has now come and gone and with a total of 82 competitors, up 12 from last year, any such fears have proved unjustified. It looks like this “new tradition” may be here to stay.
Our Drogheda Congress page has been updated with the results of the top section at the 2014 edition. There are a number of reports on the progress of the whole tournament at the hosts’ website (including this final report). Irish Champion (and top seed) Colm Daly also blogs on the weekend’s action in his own inimitable style .
Irish Chess History 