The Annual UCU Simultaneous - Alex Lopez IM scores 23 1/2 out of 24.

The Ulster Chess Union with the brilliant assistance of Damien Cunningham have organised a Simultaneous each year for some years. Unfortunately this was broken by Covid and then the basis of the event, the tournament at Bunratty unfortunately stopped. We used to get top players who were playing at this to stop off in Belfast.

This year we have the wonderful Alex Lopez (IM) 2416 also winner of the Irish Championships multiple times and top chess coach. Me and Adrian setup the room at Queens University ready for the event. Whilst Damien met up with Alex.

With 25 players invited, mainly due to them winning Simultaneous tickets at UCU tournaments we were in for an evening of brilliant chess. 24 players appeared. Alex and Damien joined us and Damien explained the rules to the players and we were away. Taking his first move Alex shook everyones hand and the games were off.

I had put certificates on each table with scoresheets and the players name and rating on a name plate. Alex was pleasantly ( I am alluding to that) surprised by the strength of his opposition. The games were slow to finish and as they were completed Alex was winning them all. All players enjoyed the evening. Jade Sandrey achieved a draw which was our only result. Alex didn't loose any and scored a fantastic 23.5 out of 24. Alex did say his game against Jack Eden was perhaps the most challenging. After finishing he spent time to chat with players and sign their certificates. Not only a brilliant chess player but a lovely person.

We were fortunate to have 5 games recorded on our intelligent boards : https://www.ulsterchess.net/2024-08-23/ (many thanks to Adrian Dornford-Smith who set these up together with a live Webcam feed). Thanks to Alex Lopez for a brilliant evenings chess, thanks to the Ulster Chess Union, Queens University for the brilliant venue. The players for participating. Thankyou all.

Some positions from these games, a position in the middle of the game and one at the end :