News
Children’s Chess looking for trophy sponsors!
Each year the Ulster Chess Union’s, Mark Newman and Geoff Hindley, volunteer their time and efforts to run the wonderful children’s events at Methodist College Belfast. Volunteers are and have always welcome, but this year we are also seeking out sponsors to cover costs of trophies.
The Annual Belfast Scholastic Awards and Elite Tournament took place at Stormont on 9th June 2023
At the kind invitation of MLA Naomi Long the top student chess players gathered at Stormont to recieve awards for the year and play in an elite tournament. After a year of monthly tournaments organised by the UCU and held at Methodist College. The year ends with this brilliant celebration of our young chess players.
St Nicholas' PS host Glenwood PS for a chess afternoon
Two primary schools in Northern Ireland got together for a few friendly games of chess. The event was a huge hit with the pupils and the organisers are hoping to make it an annual get together.
Events to watch for over the Summer include The Citi Belfast Charity Rapidplay
Lots of Chess over the Summer including a Charity FIDE rated Rapidplay, The usual Summer Tournament, International Chess Day Celebration by 2 Royal Avenue and Roaming Knights and Lisburn Chess Clubs excellent events.
League results and board prizes and Tom Clarke Grand-prix 2023
The league is over the Summer Tournament is in full swing. The AGM is about to occur where we celebrate a year of chess with awards to League winners and boarrd prizes.
The Belfast Megafinal took place at Methodist College on May 13th 2023
One of the largest and prestigious tournaments the Delancey UK Chess Challange was represented in Ulster at the Belfast Megafinals. An event enabling players to qualify for the next round, the GIgafinals.
June 2023 FIDE rating report
By Brendan Jamison, FIDE National Arbiter
Annual General Meeting Announcement
This year's AGM will be hosted by Fruithill Chess Club, Monday 19th June, time 7:30pm.
The final Childrens Chess afternoon took place on April 1st 2023
Methodist College hosted the 5th Childrens Chess this School year. With top young chess players having an afternoon of chess tournament and chess puzzles.
We had one of our largest Childrens Chess tournaments in March 2023
With some 45 youngsters we had a fantastic afternoon of chess at Methodist College on Saturday 11th March. With 6 rounds of chess and 22 challenging puzzles to solve.
The first Ulster Fischer Random Championship took place on Sunday 26th March 2023
18 players fought to see who would be crowned Ulster Fischer Random Champion at The Pavilion, Civil Service. The second tournament in Ulster after the Bangor Clubs and the first Ulster Championship. Using a Random starting position for each round.
Lisburn win Ulster Team Rapidplay Championship
Not content with winning the Belfast and District League, the Longstone Street outfit claim rapidplay honours in Derry
N.I. FIDE Arbiter Team established to run the 2023/2024 tournament calendar
A new FIDE National Arbiter team has been established by Brendan Jamison with a mission to run all the local tournaments during the 2023/2024 season. All five members of the team hold a FIDE license.
GM Ben Finegold plays 20 Ulster Chess players and wins all the games
Our annual Ulster Chess Union Simultaneous Event was back in 2023 with a difference. We played top US player GM Ben Finegold online with a video link to the US. The event took place at the Civil Service Social Club on our regular annual date of Thursday 16th February.
Remembering an enthusiastic chess teacher Brian Thorpe
Brian Thorpe for many years was a large part of Chess in Ireland. He ran Methodist College Chess Club. And in the words of Frank Scott : Brain Thorpe - Chess Legend.
FIDE rating report - April 2023
13 players gained new FIDE ratings in the April list.
