UCU Web

Deconstructed items from David McAlister's Ulster Chess Chess reports
UCU Autumn Congress 2007

UCU Autumn Congress 2007

The newly-established UCU Autumn Congress was held over the penultimate weekend of October in the QUB Students’ Union. The event was created to comprise both an Ulster Under 21 Championships and an under 1600 “Stars Barred” weekender.

UCU Autumn Congress 2007 - Read More…

Fisherwick Winter Tournament 2007

Fisherwick Winter Tournament 2007

The first of 2007/08’s Fisherwick Monday night tournaments finished on the 26th of November. Dominating the seven-rounder from start to finish was a newcomer to the competition, RVH player Joseph Mordeno.

Fisherwick Winter Tournament 2007 - Read More…

Ulster Rapidplay Championship December 2007

Ulster Rapidplay Championship December 2007

QUB's Steve Scannell retained his title as Ulster's best rapidplay player, finishing clear first with a perfect 6 points from 6 at the Belfast Boat Club.

Ulster Rapidplay Championship December 2007 - Read More…

Williamson Shield 2008

Williamson Shield 2008

As is tradition, the final weekend of January marked the first major Ulster Chess competition of the new year - the Williamson Shield 2008. The prestigious Williamson saw a new year and new faces but a familiar winner, as QUB's Steve Scannell lifted the famous shield for a remarkable seventh time. Scannell now lies just one victory short of the late great Tom Clarke's total of eight wins. Steve was delighted to be taking home the magnificient trophy for another year, not to mention the £100 winner's cheque along with it.

Williamson Shield 2008 - Read More…

Williamson Shield 2008 photographs

Pat McKillen has kindly supplied the Ulster Chess Union with a number of photographs of the 2008 Williamson Shield

Williamson Shield 2008 photographs - Read More…

Scannell Superb in Simul Success

Scannell Superb in Simul Success

A fine February evening saw the Ulster Champion, Steve Scannell, take on all-comers and all at once in Queen's University Belfast. Room 208 of the Peter Froggatt Centre, packed to full capacity, hosted QUB Chess Club's first major event of 2008. It was a hugely successful night for both the club and Scannell, with the impressive turnout only outdone on the evening by Steve's performance, as he remarkably recorded 11 wins and just one draw from the 12 games.

Scannell Superb in Simul Success - Read More…

French FM Maxime Sorin Wins QUB Rapid 2008

French FM Maxime Sorin Wins QUB Rapid 2008

The QUB Rapid 2008 proved a huge success, with the increased prize fund drawing the largest, strongest and most nationality diverse array of competitors tournament chess in Belfast has seen for some time.

French FM Maxime Sorin Wins QUB Rapid 2008 - Read More…

Fisherwick Spring Tournament 2008

Fisherwick Spring Tournament 2008

The latest edition of Fisherwick Chess Club's long-established Monday night tournament was run as a seven round swiss over January and February. The competition saw a blend of Fisherwick stalwarts alongside Bombardier, Queen's and Lagan players contest the destination of the trophy.

Fisherwick Spring Tournament 2008 - Read More…

Walls First in Fisherwick Quickplay

Walls First in Fisherwick Quickplay

The Fisherwick Quickplay, held over the first two Monday nights in March, attracted a fine turnout in terms of numbers and quality. Queen's Theology student, Eamonn Walls, recorded an impressive 5/6 total to clinch outright first place ahead of second-placed Michael Waters' 4.5 points tally and the other 17 competitors.

Walls First in Fisherwick Quickplay - Read More…

City of Belfast Championships 2008

City of Belfast Championships 2008

QUB's Steve Scannell continued his domination of Ulster Chess weekenders, this time by notching up another clear first in the City of Belfast Chamionships. In retaining the Nemztov Cup, Scannell secured his sixth successive UCU weekender win.

City of Belfast Championships 2008 - Read More…

Stormont Childrens Award Ceremony 2008

The top 9 children from the Childrens chess tournaments were at Stormont as the guests of MLA Brian Wilson (Green Party) for an Elite tournament and prize award ceremony.

Stormont Childrens Award Ceremony 2008 - Read More…

Children's Chess Grand Prix 2007-8

This year's Children's Chess series, sponsored by the Northern Bank Sports Club, had an innovation. As well as prizes for the individual events there was also an overall Grand Prix.

Children's Chess Grand Prix 2007-8 - Read More…

News
The Childrens Chess April Tournament took place on Sat 11th April hosted at Methodist College. An afternoon of fun chess. A tournament and puzzle solving competition. Almost 30 young players gathered to enjoy our mo... May 09, 2026
Bangor club celebrates its 60th anniversary 60 years in 60 minutes. A fun and playful documentary capturing the magic of Bangor Chess Club. Short interviews and eve... May 09, 2026
UCU League 2025/26 final tables and board prizes Report on the UCU Belfast & District League 2025/26 May 04, 2026
Standings of the Childrens Chess Grandprix after March 2026. The Ulster Chess Union runs monthly tournaments at Methodist College. All pupils are welcome to play. Five of these tour... Mar 22, 2026
Amost 40 young players gather at our Monthly Childrens Chess tournaments Saturday March 14th. Methodist College. We continue our monthly events. An afternoon of Chess games and puzzles. With al... Mar 22, 2026
More news…
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Upcoming Events
Fourth Executive Board Meeting May 12, 2026 08:00 PM - 09:30 PM — Lisburn Chess Club
The Summer Tournament Weds 13th 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 13, 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 06:00 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
Upcoming events…