Current news in Ulster Chess
Strong Lagan lose to lucky Queen's
The Belfast Boat Club - or more specifically the smallest and most cramped room within it - provided the venue for what will quite possibly prove the most peculiar match Ulster League Chess succeeds in producing this season.
Williamson Shield 2008
As is tradition, the final weekend of January marked the first major Ulster Chess competition of the new year - the Williamson Shield 2008. The prestigious Williamson saw a new year and new faces but a familiar winner, as QUB's Steve Scannell lifted the famous shield for a remarkable seventh time. Scannell now lies just one victory short of the late great Tom Clarke's total of eight wins. Steve was delighted to be taking home the magnificient trophy for another year, not to mention the £100 winner's cheque along with it.
League Chess, Back for 2008
Although the QUB Galacticos have to wait until January 30th for a return to league action, both Divisions 1 and 2 of the Belfast & District League are very much back in the swing of things already after the Christmas break. There are certainly no signs of the winter frost enveloping Division 1 especially, which is boiling up into potentially the most intriguing and hard-fought battle for the Silver King in many years.
Ulster Rapidplay Championship December 2007
QUB's Steve Scannell retained his title as Ulster's best rapidplay player, finishing clear first with a perfect 6 points from 6 at the Belfast Boat Club.
Queen's Lead League at Christmas
The final Division 1 fixture of 2007 saw reigning champions Clifton House host QUB. Each team's first round of matches produced a disappointing tally of two wins and two defeats, leaving neither side able to afford any festive generosity to their opponents if they planned to find title-winning form.
