It s fair to say that chess is having a bit of a moment in the limelight.
Carlsen has become a celebrity even outside the game, and the Netflix series The Queen s Gambit about a young, glamorous woman who rises to the top of the ranks in chess was the perfect underdog story to get people through a lengthy period of lockdown.
For chess players in Sligo, the move to online games has meant that people from anywhere, whether they have connections to Sligo or not, can join in with weekly tournaments.
It has opened up new opportunities for new members and new tournaments, without the pressure of having to find a venue to suit all players.