Welcome to KoÉ Chess Club
A unique and modern club for all!
Knights of Éanna Chess Club brings together beginners, rising talents and the very best experienced players in Ireland across all age groups. Through coaching, tournaments and social play we've built Dublin's most vibrant chess community. We're always happy to welcome new members and visitors to our club.
Club History
Originally founded in Coláiste Éanna as a schoolboy-only club by caretaker David Grant, the club opened to the public in 2015. In 2017 the club appointed Coach and Club Advisor Sarah Scott to help guide its growth, both on and off the board.
Rathmines Chess Club
At the start of the 2022 season, the club merged with the historic Rathmines Chess Club, becoming KoÉ/Rathmines. Our club night was already attracting many strong players who attended regularly but were not officially representing the club. Following the merger, we suddenly had numerous teams to fill across nearly every division. This union propelled the club forward, drawing in talented players from Rathmines as well as across Dublin.
At the end of the 2023 season, the membership voted to restore the club’s original name, Knights of Éanna, while reaffirming our commitment to honouring the legacy of the Rathmines Chess Club. Find out about Rathmine's Chess Club's history here.
Recent Successes
Knights of Éanna enjoyed a breakout year in the 2024/2025 season. The club captured its first Armstrong title, division 1 of the Leinster Chess Leagues and the oldest continuously running league competition in the world, dating back to 1888.
The Armstrong team also completed a historic double, joining an elite group of clubs to win both the Armstrong and the Branagan Cup in the same season.
In addition, our BEA team (Division 5 of the Leinster Chess Leagues) secured the club’s first BEA title and earned promotion, rounding off a landmark year for Knights of Éanna.
Our Members
Our club now numbers around 100 active members, with many players from other clubs regularly joining our Friday sessions. We take pride in our diverse community, players of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels.
We are especially proud to have one of the highest levels of participation by women and girls among chess clubs in Ireland. Everyone is welcome at Knights of Éanna!
We cater to all types of chess players, whatever your goals may be. Whether you're a casual player looking for friendly over-the-board games, an adult improver aiming for your next rating jump, a junior international, or a titled player chasing norms, the club is committed to supporting and accommodating players at every level.
The Éanna Classic
The Éanna Classic is our annual FIDE-rated classical weekend tournament. First held in 2022 as the John Bolger Cup, with notable players such as Grandmasters Alexander Baburin and Matthew Turner. The event moved around the calendar for its first couple of years before settling into a mid-October slot under its new name.
Past Winners:
2022: GM Alexander Baburin
2023: GM Petar Arnaudov
2024: FM Kavin Venkatsen
2025: WGM Shrook Wafa
KoÉ Club Championships
Every June, the club hosts its internal FIDE-rated Classical Club Championship, a free, five-round event open to all fully paid-up members. First held in 2024 with two sections, an Open and a Junior (U1600), the championship provides players with the opportunity to compete against fellow members in a professional setting and battle for those all-important bragging rights.To honour the legacy of the Rathmines Chess Club, the Club Championship trophy was named the Rathmines Cup.
Club Champions:
2024: Oisin O'Cuilleanain
2025: Oisin O'Cuilleanain
Get in Touch
Take a look at our contact page here to send us an email.
