Established in 1954, Phibsboro Chess Club celebrated its 70th Anniversary in 2024. Like most new chess clubs, its initial membership was small, numbering just eight players. The inaugural meeting was held in 363 North Circular Road, where Mr Brendan Neville was elected club secretary. The membership of the club has grown over the years, to the point where Phibsboro Chess Club is now one of the biggest clubs in the Leinster Leagues. The club won its first trophy, the Ennis Shield (then division two of the Leinster Leagues), in 1958. The ultimate prize however, the Armstrong Cup awarded to the Division 1 winners, eluded the club until the 2001/2002 season. Since then, Phibsboro Chess Club has won the Armstrong Cup a further six times. A number of club members have also won the coveted title of Irish Champion.
The Phibsboro team that won the 2003 Irish Club Championship. From left to right: Kevin Butler, Ivan Llorens, Brian Fitzpatrick, Dave Salter, Hotze Hofstra, Stephen Brady, Tony Mooney.
Irish Chess Champions
- Michael Littleton – 1962, 1965
- Stephen Brady (FM) – 1991, 1992, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2012
- Richard O’Donovan – 1996
- Joe Ryan (FM) – 1997, 2004
- Colm Daly (FM) – 1998, 1999
Leinster Championship Winners
- Stephen Brady (FM) – 1990, 1997 and 2003
- Joe Ryan (FM) – 2002
- Juri Firstov – 2013
Irish Correspondence Chess Champions
- John Nolan – 1987, 1989
- Christian Leonard – 1988
Braille Chess Association of Ireland Champion
- Michael Delaney – 1991, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2009
Correspondence Chess International Master
- David Salter earned the title of Correspondence Chess International Master in 2002.
Irish Under-19 Champions
- Art Coldrick – 1959
- Eddie Grant – 1983
Leinster Under-14 Champion
- Conor Gilmer – 1984
Irish Seniors Champion
- Art Coldrick – 2010
Leinster Leagues
- Armstrong Cup (Division One) Winners – 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2013.
- Heidenfeld Trophy (Division Two) Winners – 1973, 1992.
- Ennis Shield (Division Three) Winners – 1958 (Division Two), 2000, 2008, 2009.
- O’Hanlon Cup – 1966 (Division Three)
- BEA Cup (Division Five) Winners – 1974, 1979, 1987, 1990, 2013.
- Bodley Cup (Division Six) Winners – 1986, 2008.
Leinster Cup Competitions
- Branagan Cup Winners – 1988, 1991, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008.
All Ireland Club Champions
- National Club Champions – 2003.
1986 Bodley Cup winners
From Left to Right : Anthony McMahon ( sub ) Charlie Lally, Kevin Brown, Bob Leggett ( Capt ) Gerald Hoey and Noel Gilmer. The following year (1987) the same team won the BEA when we had 2 subs as follows :Christian Leonard and Bernard Hudson.
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