News
UCU Tournaments: A Critical Moment for Volunteer and Arbiter Support
This report, prepared by Tournament Director Karina Campbell and presented to the Ulster Chess Union Executive Board, outlines the Union’s ongoing challenges in sustaining its tournament programme and aims to spark the vital support needed to move forward.
Exciting changes to the Sligo event in 2026. Now a multi-tournament chess festival. Save the dates in your calender Jan 30th to Feb 8th.
The Sligo event is undergoing a major transformation in 2026 from a weekender to a multi-tournament festival. The Sligo Chess and Culture Festival will have entertainment, social, cultural, and sporting activities, chess talks, workshops, simuls, as well as public facing events.
The Monthly Childrens Chess Kicks off Oct 25th at Methodist College
** New date ** The LJCC Belfast Qualifier a one day 6 round tournament starts our annual series of monthly tournaments at Methodist College.
The 2025 Summer tournament ends with a fun tournament and award ceremony
Weds 24th September 2025 saw 24 players gather to celebrate the end of the UCU Summer Tournament. Who won? we have the final standings. The end of the chess season. The leagues start in October - we wish all teams/players well for the UCU league.
Belfast Qualifier for the British Open Blitz 2025/26
Belfast runs one of 16 tournaments that allow players to qualify for the British Open Blitz tournament. The top player and top woman qualify to play in the prestigious Championship. 30 players gathered at NCIS Pavilion on Sunday Sept 21st to battle to see who would be the top Blitz players and get the opportunity to play the Countries best Blitz Players in the finals in England competing to be the British Open Blitz Champion.
The Annual UCU Summer School at Ormeau Park
We had 18 young chess players for 3 days of brilliant chess activities over Weds/Thurs/Fri 6th, 7th, 8th August 2025. At the Ormeau Bowling Club in Ormeau Park.
One more game to play in the Summer Tournament 2025
We have played 19 weeks of glorious chess. What are the standings with only one game to go.
Ulster Championships 2025 - Results
This year’s championships were held over the August Bank holiday at Lisburn Chess Club.
Ulster Championships 2025 at full capacity
This year's Ulster Championships are hosted at Lisburn Chess Club with a limited number of entrants and we can now confirm all spaces have been taken!
Football, Family activities, Live Music, Live Dancing and Chess at EMSONI 2025 Festival.
We were honoured to be invited to the EMSONI Festival on 26th July 2025 and enjoyed Chess, fantastic company and conversation, live music a brilliant day at the Ulidia Playing Fields Belfast.
The Annual Citi Charity Rapidplay took place on July 24th 2025.
Some 42 players gathered to raise money for Air Ambulance Northern Ireland. Organised by Citi's chess team captain Michael Devine.
Celebrating Young Chess talent at Stormont. MLA Naomi Long invites top players.
Our series of monthly tournaments concludes with the top players their parents and Principals being invited to Stormont for an elite competition and award ceremony. This took place on Friday June 13th.
Ulster Fischer Championships took place on June 8th at Civil Service Pavilion
One of the most exciting competitions of the year involves chess with a difference. The initial position of the main pieces on the front row is set to a random position. This means that learned opening theories/lines are challenged.
Annual General Meeting 2024/2025
2024/2025 season is rapidly coming to a close and with this comes the announcement of the UCU’s Annual General Meeting.
Washingbay FIDE Rapid
This week's upcoming event's early entry list
City of Belfast Winners
Well done to Steve Scannell our champion, and David Jeffers on winning the Intermediate trophy!
The Belfast Megafinals took place at Methodist College on Sat May 10th 2025
The last of this years monthly tournaments at Methodist College. Ended with the Delancey Chess Challenge Belfast Megafinals. Part of one of the largest childrens tournaments. Qualifiers go on to play in the next phase the Terrafinals.
GM Alex Baburin plays 24 games in Ulster Simultaneous 23rd May 2025
An evening of fantastic chess was enjoyed when 24 Ulster Chess players played Irelands GM Alex Baburin. Organised by Karina Campbell, Damien Cunningham and Brendan Jamison.
Join the FIDE Social Chess Storytelling Challenge 2025 – Every Move Counts!
A message from The FIDE Social Commission Team:- FIDE has made 2025 the Year of Social Chess and invites you to participate in the FIDE Social Chess Storytelling Challenge 2025: Every Move Counts We are calling on filmmakers, federations, and changemakers like you to share short films showcasing the social impact of chess around the world. Whether it's about personal growth, community building, or creating new opportunities – your story matters.
Final Standings for the 2025 Childrens Chess Grandprix
With the April Childrens Chess completed we have the final standings for the 2025 Grandprix. The top four of each section usually get invited to Stormont for an award ceremony and Elite Chess Tournament.
