2005 Master Classes

Ulster's top players offered their time leading Master Classes on topics  in Opening Theory. Organised by Bangor Chess Club under the auspices of the UCU, the classes were held over 5 Saturdays during July & August in the Rudolf Steiner School in Holywood. The classes were open to all local players.

This year's sessions continued the format that appeared to work in the 2004 series:

• A review of the previous session (usually presented by Mark Newman); designed to build thematically through the series.
• A Question & Answer session with the presenter usually about the Master's chess career and local chess issues
• Presentation: the 2005 series aimed to focus on pawn structures and management
• Lunch
• Afternoon: workshops, practice games and a mini-tournament or whatever worked for attendees

Classes

• 23rd July: Michael Waters

Michael Waters leads off this years Master Classes with an introduction to positional play and how to develop a personal Opening Book: notes taken by Mark Newman

• 30th July: Ray Devenny

Ray Devenny takes a close look at Isolated Pawns and how to exploit them

• 6th August: Eddie Whiteside

Eddie Whiteside continues our theme on Positional Play with Pawns focusing on Pawn Structures

• 20th August: Steve Scannell

Steve Scannell takes a close look at Doubled Pawns and how to exploit them; details lost except for a gallery of photos taken on the day

• 27th August: John Cairns

John Cairns wraps up this years series with a Review of Chess Schools and tips on How to Improve your Rating; details lost except for a few pictures taken on the day

Reception

The quality of presentations in this second series was again very high and well received by attendees. However, numbers were very low even among Bangor members. Despite better preparation & organisation, it seemed like the UCU membership could not support the event. No further events were planned in this format.