News
No RVH Resistance as John Strawbridge Cup Heads to Queen's
Queen's complete the 2006/07 season as winners of the Belfast & District League 2. The final act of the University men in lifting the John Strawbrige Cup and sealing promotion to Division 1 was undramatic - RVH had the good manners to leave the QUB side with a free night to pose for the cameras and celebrate their success.
University Men Close In On Title Glory
With the protest withdrawal of both Bangor Winston and Groomsport from the league last Thursday, round 12 of the race to claim the coveted John Strawbridge Cup was set against a backdrop of administrative confusion. Nobody is quite sure what the precise impact of the withdrawals upon point totals are as yet, but the key facts remain satisfactorily clear – QUB enjoy a comfortable lead over nearest rivals Malone, with a Devon Loch collapse necessary for league glory to be snatched from the grasp of Millar’s Mob.
QUB March On After Humbling Hillsborough
Back in November, a mere four weeks into the chess season, QUB suffered dropped bonus points for the second week in succession, drawing against Portadown in the Peter Froggatt Centre. At this stage confidence in the under-achieving Galacticos was dwindling, with their stock crashing to an all-time low. However, rather than feeling sorry for themselves, the university outfit, evidently taking inspiration from their captain, embarked on a six-match winning streak. This run has brought them to the summit of the league, but with the finishing post growing ever-closer, a steadily improving Hillsborough side stood in their way. With players of the calibre of Bruce Maclean and David McAlister in the visitor's line-up, the league leaders were not expecting an easy ride.
Ravenous Queen's Romp to 5-0 Revenge
On November 1st 2006, Groomsport subjected the QUB chess renaissance to the indignity of its sole defeat under your author’s stewardship of the club. It was in this context that the university team, “Los Galacticos”, travelled to their opponents’ seaside residence with a desire to not just vanquish the memory of the 3.5-1.5 loss, but also to stamp their supremacy upon the charges of one Richard “The Gangster” Proctor, a man among Ulster Chess’s most nefarious instigators.
Clifton's Morgan Claims QUB Open Victory
QUB's own annual competition saw Clifton House board 1 Stephen Morgan fight off stiff competition and a final-round scare to emerge as the tournament's clear winner.
Steve "Hendry" Scannell lifts Williamson Shield for 6th time
At the Maynard Sinclair Pavilion, Civil Service saw Steve Scannell win the Williamson Shield for the 6th time (outright)
QUB Win Battle of Ulster Chess Leviathans
The ninth round in the race for league glory and the John Strawbridge Cup saw Queen’s University host their south-Belfast rivals Malone/Fisherwick.
Bombardier whitewashed by rampant Queens
Bombardier visited QUB last wednesday night with high hopes of a victory against the young upstarts. Unfortunately, this was not the case.
Scannell attains Ulster Rapidplay crown
On Saturday 30th December, Steve Scannell became the new Ulster Rapidplay Champion.
Bombardier come up short
Last Wednesday night saw QUB travel to face Bombardier in an eagerly anticipated game. Malone and Groomsport were eyeing the game with interest as they saw this fixture as a potential banana skin for QUB. Another point of interest saw Calum Leitch return to face his old club of 2 years where he was deemed a success. McKittrick and co. were hoping to teach these young upstarts - in particular Leitch a valuable lesson and were hoping their vast experience would count favourably.
Royals become the latest casualties to the QUB’s top guns
On a cold Tuesday night, QUB’s hopefuls made their way to RVH for the tense league battle against the recently relegated side.
Below par Queens Pegged back by Portadown
After QUB’s disappointing and demoralising defeat against Bangor Groomsport, they faced a tricky tie last Wednesday night against division 2’s surprise package Portadown.
Fisherwick Winter Tournament - So Far
On Monday 13th November, the second half of this season's Fisherwick got under way. Read on to find out how the competition has progressed so far.
Steve Scannell's Sparkling Simultaneous
Ulster Chess faithfuls were treated last night to a simultaneous performance by Joint Ulster Champion Steve Scannell, who gave a terrific exhibition of how to play 10 boards at once.
Groomsport Slay Division 2 Goliaths
Early pacemakers QUB face a difficult test this week against Division 2 hopefuls Bangor Groomsport. Bangor Groomsport - undoubtedly a well rehearsed side under the captaincy of Richard Proctor and generally a team that strike a serious promotion challenge year in year out.
Hillsborough vs QUB
After a generally impressive start by QUB in their opening fixture, their next encounter saw them face one of Division 2’s most solid performers – Hillsborough, a team widely renowned throughout Belfast for their solid reputation. On paper, some may feel this is an easier fixture than Malone, but these campaigners have proved in the past they are no pushovers and if QUB have title aspirations then it is vital that they perform to the best of their capabilities against a potential banana skin of a fixture.
UCU October 2006 Rapidplay
The first tournament of the calender year was a rapidplay tournament which was held at the Belfast Boat Club on Sunday 22nd October and was a six-round Swiss. Gareth Annesley of the RVH Club came first half a point ahead of top seed Steve Scannell.
Euro Club Cup October 2006
A Belfast team played in the prestigious European Club Cup in Fügen, Austria from 8 to 14 October 2006. Michael Waters contributes a humorous take on events amongst the European elite. However don't be fooled by the apparently light-hearted approach, this was an excellent performance from our six players. Battling back after a difficult start, victories in rounds 5 and 6 brought about a very creditable final position.
Malone vs QUB
Queen University make a come-back to League competition with their opening match against last years League 2 winners Fisherwick B, also known these days as Malone. How would the young upstarts fare against the experienced, veteran campaigners?
