Connecting esports across the island of Ireland.
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Chess is one of the Esports Nations Cup's individual titles, with Stephen Jessel representing Team Ireland at the ENC 2026 in Riyadh — and a title Ireland Esports Leagues introduced through its Company Series pilot.
Chess was introduced through the Ireland Esports Company Series' second pilot. It is not currently offered at Collegiate Series level.
Separately from Ireland Esports Leagues, the Irish Chess Union (ICU) is Ireland's national governing body for chess, affiliated with FIDE (the World Chess Federation) since 1933 and the European Chess Union.
Founded in 1912, the ICU organises the Irish Chess Championship and Ireland's other national titles, and maintains the country's official chess rating register.
Stephen Jessel is Ireland’s representive in Chess at the inaugural Esports Nations Cup 2026. Jessel is a FIDE Master and the ICU's 2016 Irish Chess Champion, with prior Ireland representation at the Baku (2016) and Batumi (2018) Olympiads.
Is Ireland competing in Chess at the Esports Nations Cup?
Yes — Stephen Jessel represents Team Ireland in Chess at the ENC 2026.
Does Ireland Esports Leagues run a Chess competition?
Yes — Chess was introduced through the Ireland Esports Company Series' second pilot. It is not yet offered at Collegiate Series level.
What is the Irish Chess Union (ICU)?
The ICU is Ireland's national governing body for chess, affiliated with FIDE and the European Chess Union since 1912 and 1933 respectively — separate from Ireland Esports Leagues, and organising Ireland's chess titles and rating register.
Who manages Team Ireland's Chess representation?
Team Ireland is led by National Team Manager Ronan Monaghan.
Team Ireland represents players from across the island at the Esports Nations Cup (ENC), the biennial, nation-based competition organised by the Esports Foundation (EF, formerly the Esports World Cup Foundation) and held in Riyadh in November 2026. Team Ireland is led by National Team Manager (NTM) Ronan Monaghan.
Ronan Monaghan also serves as Operations Lead for Ireland Esports Leagues (IEL); his role as National Team Manager is a separate national-team appointment. Ireland Esports Leagues develops the competitive pathway — across its Schools Series, Collegiate Series and Company Series — that helps Irish talent reach the international stage. Ireland Esports Leagues supports
Team Ireland's journey but does not select or govern the national team, which is the responsibility of the National Team Manager.
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