No easy wins

There are no easy wins in the local chess leagues plus forthcoming tournaments and the weekly game.

The 3 Belfast and District Leagues are now well underway, but already the pre-season favourites are not having things all their own way. For example, the B Division with only five teams due to play each other four times, was thought by most pundits to lie between CIYMS and Fisherwick, Belfast's two largest clubs. However, CIYMS lost 4-2 at home to Bangor, while Fisherwick lost their first two home games: 1½-4½ to Shorts and 2½-3½ to CIYMS. Future developments in the ever-shifting scene of league chess will be reported in this column. Meanwhile, in today's game, Montgomery may not have won a war but he certainly outflanked and out-manoeuvred his opponent.

On Friday 25th November to Sunday 27th November, Queen's University Students' Union hosts the Ulster Intermediate and Junior Championships.

  • The Intermediate is for those graded 1800 and under (fee £6)
  • While the Junior is for 1450 and under (fee £5)

If you are under 16 or over 65 years old, the entry fee for either tournament is only £3. So any budding Ulster champion should send entry and fee to David Houston, 53 Osborne Gardens, Belfast BT9 6LF (Tele, 660620).

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Upcoming Events
The Summer Tournament Weds 20th May at Civil Service The Summer Tournament is at Civil Service Social Club starting Wednesday 6th May 2026 at the Maynard Sinclair Pavilion a... May 20, 2026 07:15 PM - 10:30 PM — NICS,Maynard Sinclair Pavilion, Stormont, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3TA
UCU Annual GM Simul with GM Keith Arkell Full details will be updated once ticket holders have confirmed their availability. May 23, 2026 05:30 PM - 11:00 PM — Carrickfergus Community Chess Club, Open Door Centre, Bridewell Drive
Mick Germaine Cup 2026 – Junior teams competition A team event for 4 under 16 players. 6 rounds 15mins time control. May 24, 2026 10:30 AM - 04:30 PM — Artane Beaumont Family Recreation Centre, Kilmore Road, Artane, Dublin 5
No Summer Tournament - Weds 27th May Due to International Cricket at the Pavilion - there will be no chess on Weds 27th May May 27, 2026 07:15 PM — NICS,Maynard Sinclair Pavilion, Stormont, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3TA
Lisburn Bullet Championships Jul 05, 2026 10:30 AM - 04:30 PM — Lisburn Chess Club
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