But I won’t remember Kieran for the chess games he played. It will be more for the ambience that he brought to the club. The spirit of Rathmines chess club, at least in the 80s and 90s, has died with him. He was literally the heart and soul of the place. Particularly in his later years, why he came down was for the social element, to see familiar faces, to have a quick chat. He was a big fan of the newspaper I write for, and was always very generous in his comments about my work. They were genuine compliments, too, but then he was a very genuine man.

And how am I going to repay him? By printing a game in which I beat him in less than 30 moves. But bear with me – there’s a sting in the tail.

[Ladder]
[Rathmines]
[Date 3/9/1992]

[White J Burns]
[Black K Cranny]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. a3 Bb7 5. g3 Be7 6. Bg2 O-O 7. Nc3 c5 8. d5
exd5 9. cxd5 d6 10. O-O Re8 11. e4 Nbd7 12. Re1 Ne5 13. Nd2 Nd3 14. Re3 Nxc1
15. Rxc1 a6 16. a4 Bf8 17. Nc4 Qc7 18. f4 Nd7 19. Qe2 g6 20. e5 dxe5 21. fxe5
Bg7 22. d6 Qb8 23. Nd5 Bxd5 24. Bxd5 Ra7 25. e6 fxe6 26. Bxe6+ Kh8 27. Bxd7 Rxd7??
An uncharacteristic error by Kieran, particularly at this stage in his career. About five years ago he told me that he could no longer keep “blunders” out of his play, and found them so frustrating that he wouldn’t take on a serious game any more. He wasn’t sad about that, more philosophical. Which was only right – how many of us will still be playing to his standard at the age of 75?

Anyway, he should have played 27… Rxe3 here and then he’s winning. I must reply 28. Nxe3 (28. Qxe3?? Bd4) and then 28… Rxd7 29. Nc4 Bd4+ 30. Kg2 b5
31. axb5 axb5 32. Ne5 Qb7+ 33. Nf3 Rxd6 and Black should be able to convert.

Instead, 28. Rxe8+ 1-0

Never mind, Kieran. I’m sure some day you will have your revenge in the great chess club in the sky. In the meantime, may you rest in peace.

I too have been trying to find out a bit about the Sackville Chess Club, so far without success. Now I’m coming to the view that it is not important.

Kieran came into Rathmines Chess Club in 1967 and gave more than 40 years of loyal and distinguished service to the Club. At the time of his death was not only an officer of the Club; but more importantly an Honorary Member.

In his heyday Kieran was a very talented player. He told me once that he won an Ennis Shield medal; he was slightly miffed that the LCU allowed the Heidenfeld tropy into the their Leagues ahead of the Ennis Sheild, thus “debasing the currency” as it were.

I don’t know whether it was with Sackville or Rathmines that he won the medal, but anyway it was before the Heidenfeld was established. You might like to check the archives of the LCU for more accurate data.

Best regards

Liam