Brilliant day of Fischer Random Chess. Ulster 2026 Champion crowned.

This Championship for the variation of chess called Fischer Random was introduced by the Ulster Chess Union into their calander of events some 3 years ago. It is very much enjoyed by the players. Although these arent large in numbers, we see the same appreciative players enjoying the opportunity each year. With some top players playing its a day of challenging chess. Today we had all the previous years Champions - Mandar Tahmankar (2023), Gerard McIlroy, (2024), Robert Lavery (2025) defending champion. The skill of accessing a different position due to the random starting position is intense and challenging. As there was an odd no of players I also had the opportunity to play and enjoyed some very exciting games - both loosing some and winning some. The ones I lost I totally misjudged the position and got taken to pieces! We hope this event will grow in nos in future years.

Some of the history of this form of chess: https://www.fide.com/history-of-chess960/

Extracts from an article by Susan Polgar....

"The concept of random chess, also known as shuffle chess, was first proposed by the Dutch chess enthusiast Philip Julius van Zuylen van Nijevelt (1743-1826). In his renowned treatise on chess, La Supériorité aux Échecs, published in 1792, Van Zuylen van Nijevelt articulated his disdain for the repetitive patterns often found in standard chess openings. He proposed the idea of randomizing the starting positions of the main pieces to create a vast array of unique starting positions, eliminating the possibility of pre-game memorization or extensive opening theory. This early conception of random chess by Van Zuylen van Nijevelt laid the foundation for Chess960.

.....

Bronstein and Benko’s support

Just as the Dutch inventors of Shuffle chess back in the 18th century, World Champion Challenger David Bronstein promoted the same idea in the late 1940s, and then later Pal Benko in the 1970s. .....

They referred to it by various names such as: Placement Chess, Pre-Chess, Shuffle-Chess. In the variant promoted by Bronstein and Benko, the game starts with white and black pawns set as usual, but the initial position of other pieces is selected by the players.

The two players place their pieces alternately, one at a time. White first places one of his pieces on his first rank, and then Black does the same. Players continue to alternate in this manner until all pieces have been placed, with the only restriction being that bishops must be on opposite-color squares. The game then proceeds in the usual way. Strategic chess thinking therefore begins with the first placements of pieces. Yet, the essence of the game remains the same, as the pieces move as usual as in traditional chess, and the game similarly ends with checkmate.

Fischer’s influence and the evolution of Shuffle-Chess to Chess960

The year after Bobby Fischer returned to chess in 1992 for a second match versus Boris Spassky, he moved to Budapest at the suggestion of Susan Polgar. For nearly a year, he was a regular visitor to the Polgar family. He sought the help of Susan Polgar to better the rules of Shuffle-Chess. They spent a lot of time discussing and experimenting with various versions of the rules, which at times was joined by Pal Benko. Fischer’s goal was to eliminate what he considered the complete dominance of opening preparations in classical chess, and replacing it with creativity and talent. Like others before him, Fischer believed that eliminating memorized book moves would level the playing field.

.....

In those days, Fischer and Susan Polgar initially played by the Shuffle-Chess rules promoted by Bronstein and Benko. There were three key points of debates: if the pieces should be required to be positioned symmetrically; if castling should be part of the game, and if so, in which exact form; and if Bishops can start on any square, or with the restriction of starting on opposite-colored squares.

The Final Rules by Fischer and Susan Polgar

Fischer and Susan Polgar concluded the following:

– Castling should be incorporated into the rules (by requiring the King to start somewhere in between the two Rooks), and the King and Rook would end up in their traditional castling positions.

– Bishops must start the game on opposite color squares, as in traditional chess.

– The pieces from both sides should be set up symmetrically.

Back then, it was originally known as “Fischerandom” or “Fischerandom chess”, the name given by Fischer himself.

While in Budapest, Fischer consulted mathematicians to figure out how many such piece arrangements were possible. The answer was 960, which as far as he was concerned, was enough to prevent players from planning their opening moves in advance. Hence, the name Chess960.

Fischer Random Chess was formally introduced to the public on June 19, 1996, in Buenos Aires, Argentina."

Written by Susan Polgar.

We played 7 rounds with time control of 20mins 5sec increments. This gave us plenty of games to play and a reasonably relaxed time control. Below are the results of each round and the starting position for that round. Also I have included some photos - unfortunately as I was also playing I didnt take as many as normal.

The venue Loanends Presbyterian Church Hall was new to the Ulster Chess Union - and proved to be excellent. With parking, a kitchen - so with milk and biscuits provided by Michael Devine we had a good supply of tea and coffee. There was a very large TV screen which we used for showing the draws and the positions. A big thankyou to the Church for providing such an excellent venue - we are also using it for the British Blitz Qualifier in September.

I kept the positions under wraps until the players were paired up and then I placed it on the TV screen and on a large demo board. Before the start of the first round I demonstrated and explained the castling rule - as this is perhaps the most complicated part of the game. Players often castle into the wrong position - Kings side on the Queens side. As you loose track of the Queens side! The boards setup, players shook hands and the silence of focused thought spread through the room.....we were off.

Pairings round 1 (Saturday, 13 June 2026)

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The first round went to rating with an upset when Michael Devine drew against the defending champion Robert Lavery.

Pairings round 2 (Saturday, 13 June 2026)

The second round Ahsish Shambharkar gets a good win against Peter Campbell. Mandar Tahmankar wins against previous champion Gerard McIlroy. The battle of the brothers Shane wins against Michael Devine.

Pairings round 3 (Saturday, 13 June 2026)

An upset on the 2nd table with Robert Lavery the defending champion beating top player Danny Robert.

Pairings round 4 (Saturday, 13 June 2026)

The two top players draw, Danny and Mandar. Shane Devine gets a good win off Andrew Campbell.

Pairings round 5 (Saturday, 13 June 2026)

Games go to rating. Apart from Geoff Hindley getting a good win over Jim McLean.

Pairings round 6 (Saturday, 13 June 2026)

Pairings round 7 (Saturday, 13 June 2026)

Final

Ulster Champion 2026: Mandar Tahmankar

2nd : Danny Roberts

3rd : Gerard McIlroy

Intermediates : Under 1700.

Ulster Intermediate Champion 2026 : Ashish Shambharkar

2nd : Pat McKillen

3rd : Michael Devine

The end of a brilliant days chess. Thanks go to Michael Devine and Karina Campbell for organising the event and to Loanends Presbyterian Church Hall for hosting the event.

Previous Champion Robert Lavery passing the Trophy to the new Champion Mandar Tahmankar

The winners.