Killane shield draw & FIDE create surprises

Royal Lopez have progressed to the Quarter Finals of the Killane shield without dropping a single point in their match against the higher divsion Dun Laoighre. However the quarter final draw produced some astonished faces (see picture opposite) when it was announced. The Royals have been rewarded with "an away tie with .... Classic Kings of Dunshaughlin". This will be the third meeting of the two Meath teams in a single season, and sets up an interesting conclusion to the season. Next year the organisers will asked to introduce a seeding system like that of the UEFA Champions League to only allow the Meath teams meet in the final (which of course is where they both belong).

In other news a major milestone has passed this week as Gary Kasparov is no longer officially the highest rated FIDE player. In fact he has been completely removed from FIDE rankings altogether. Quite literally hero-to-zero in one step. Kasparov who was undoubtedly the greatest ever world champion and an esteemed ambassador and benefactor for many laudable causes has decided to devote all his efforts to political activities in his native Russia. Kasparov will be praying (see picture opposite) his latest efforts produce something of the magic he has worked on the chess scene for the last three decades.