Ulster Team Championship Final

Round 1

Although outrated on all 5 boards, defending champions Fisherwick had the better of the first round, and it needed all Stephen Scannell's battling qualities in a lost position against John Cairns to secure an equal division of the points.

Round 2

In the afternoon session the R.V.H. team won on all five boards to win the final overall by 7.5 points to 2.5 and take the Championship for the second time.

Tom Clarke brought off this attractive finish in the Board 1 game

Tom Clarke- Kieran Greer Ulster Team Championship Final (Round 2) 2003

16.Ke2 Nc7 17.Qxd6! Bd8
If 17...Bxd6 it's mate in two with 18.Nf6+ Kg7 19.Rxh7#
18.Rxh7 Black resigned
As Tom pointed out 18.Qxc7 also wins, but the rook sacrifice is both more attractive and completely decisive.
After 18.Rxh7 Kxh7 White wins with 19.Rh1+ Kg7 20.Qh2 Re8 21.Qh6+ Kg8 22.Qh8#

Alongside the Team Final there was a 7 round rapid play tournament, with players given a time handicap according to their respective ratings. If players were rated within 200 points of each other each received 15 minutes. Between 201 and 400 points it was 20 minutes against 10, and for 401 points and above, 25 minutes against 5.

Handicap Rapidplay May 2003 Final Standings

Place Name                   Rtg  Club          Score

  1   CALUM LEITCH           1484 Q.U.B.        6    
  2   STEPHEN MORGAN         1967 Q.U.B.        5    
 3-4  JOHN K. BRADLEY        1903 BOMBARDIER    4    
      DANNY MALLAGHAN        1795 R.V.H.        4    
  5   ANANDAGOPAL SRINIVASAN 900e UNATTACHED    3.5  
 6-7  DAMIEN LAVERY          1612 R.V.H.        3    
      DAVID Mc ALISTER       1685 HILLSBOROUGH  3    
  8   JOHN CAHOON            1236 NORTH BELFAST 2.5  
9-10  ALAN BURNS             1437 C.I.Y.M.S.    2    
      ALEXANDER BECKETT      1413 FISHERWICK    2