Ulster Chess League Fixtures Announced

Ulster Chess League Fixtures Announced

The fixtures for the new season have finally been published. The Bangor Club's first matches will be on Thursday 13th November. As usual top teams Carnegie and Groomsport will play each other in this opening match. In Division 2, Winston entertain Bombardier while Templar travel to Randalstown.

This year, Division 1 has shrunk somewhat with the Bangor teams competing against Civil Service, North Belfast, Fisherwick, only one RVH team and new entrant Clifton House. Looks like RVH have lost their dominance.

On the other hand, Division 2 has expanded with Bombardier and CIYMS being relegated last year and Fisherwick declining promotion. Fortwilliam, Hillsborough, RVH Ravens and Randalstown bring the tally to 9 teams with the Bangor pair. It will be a long season running till the end of March with barely a week off. Team fixture lists will be available on Thursday's Club Night.

National Chess Week 2003

Last week was National Chess Week, in support of Barnardos. Members of the Bangor Club helped organise two events.

Gary Johnson organised a small tournament in Newtownards. Richard Morrow won the event.

Mark Newman helped with the UCU Tournaments in Belfast on Saturday where Richard Morrow claimed another victory. A total of £500 was raised for Barnardos on the day.

There were three separate competitions. Numbers were boosted by a large contingent from Londonderry organised by Allan Turnbull. Cairnshill Primary School had the most entrants from any Belfast school with 16.

Primary Schools Competition

67 children played through 5 rounds. The children played their opponents with both the White and Black pieces, giving each player a total of 10 games. Winner was one of the Derry players, Leon Hulleman with 9 points from his 10 games. Second was Rory Hopkins from Cairnshill Primary with 8.5, and third (on tie-break) with 8.0 was Conchobhar Kerr, another Derry player.

Junior Schools Competition

This was for children in Forms 1 to 3 (Years 8 to 10) and 17 took part on a 6 round Swiss system format. Winner was Anandagopal Srinivasan of Methodist College with 6 wins from his 6 games. Second was Daniel Quigley (Derry) with 5.0 and third on tie-break was Eimear Kerr (Derry) with 4.0.

Senior Schools Competition

This was for those in Form 4 (Year 11) and above. 6 players competed in an all-play-all format and 3 players finished level on 3.5 points. On tie-break Richard Morrow (Campbell College & Bangor Chess Club) was declared the winner with Chris Millar and James Wu (both Methodist College) second and third.