News
Williamson Shield 2023 - Results
Played over the weekend of Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd January 2023, we had 54 players competing for a £900 prize fund.
January 2023 FIDE rating report
The Omagh Rapidplay helped generate several rating debuts in December. With 50 players at the Ulster Blitz Championship on 29th December, these games will be rated by FIDE on 31st January so expect a big surge of new rating debuts then! We were delighted so many newcomers attended this event and also joined the Ulster Chess Union on the day.
Death of Professor James Fairley
Former Belfast South player James Fairley died on January 2 2023. His brother David has also informed me that the funeral service will take place on Friday January 13 in St Donard's Church of Ireland, Bloomfield Rd at 10.45am.
Dundonald Rapid – Report by Brendan Jamison
53 players competed in the first FIDE rapid of the new year at Civil Service Chess Club on Saturday 7th January 2023.
Ladies Day with WIM Trisha Kanyamarala
Ladies Day returns to Greenisland FC Chess Club and we're delighted to announce that will the current Irish Ladies Champ, WIM Trisha Kanyamarala will be joining us!
Ulster Blitz Tournament Report December 2022 by Chris Dorrian
WHAT A TOURNAMENT! The Ulster Blitz Tournament was one for the ages. There were 50 players competing across 18 rounds of chess. That is 450 games across the day. Maybe the biggest ever?
Ulster Schools Chess Championships were held at Methodist College on Dec 10th 2022
One of our best attended Championships was held this year with some 39 players. We were in for a treat of brilliant chess and puzzle solving. Trophies were sponsored by One Stop Morgage Shop. We have a new Ulster Schools Champion - Calvin Patterson.
14 year old Caleb McClean wins Bangor Bullet Championship with 10/10 and a TPR of 2204
Report on Bangor Bullet tournament Thursday Dec 22nd 2022.
Tournament Report by Chris Dorrian Greenisland Football Club Chess Winter Blitz Bash
On the 25th November 2022 GFC Chess hosted a Fide Blitz Tournament in support of the Greenisland Community Fridge. The entry fee was a jar of coffee and a toiletry item that the Community Fridge was able to share with its clients. As the cost of living crisis deepens and people continue to struggle through the winter, it is great that the Chess Community is able to support. Over 25 clients will benefit from the range of gifts provided.
Childrens Chess 5th November 2022 at Methodist College
Youngsters gathered at Methodist College for an afternoon of chess games and puzzle solving. The first in our Childrens Chess afternoons over which a Grandprix is run resulting in top players being invited to an Elite tournament and Prize Ceremony usually held at Stormont.
Celebration of Ulster Players playing outside of Ulster autumn 2022
Two players represented Ulster in the British Blitz Championships. Ethan Cole played in the International Youth ChessMates Tournament in Magdeburg, Germany. Thomas Donaldson played in the British Championships and we had several players playing in the Delancey Chess Challenge Giga-finals.
Remembering warmer evenings! Summer Tournament award ceremony and Fun quickplay tournamant 2022.
The end of the Summer sees the final evening of the Summer tournament with a fun handicap tournament and prize giving. So players gathered at the Civil Service Pavilion to celebrate a Summer of great chess on Sept 28th 2022.
Michael Sheerin(1824) v Scott Crockart(2111)
Michael Sheerin played board 1 against The Strand Team new comer Scott Crockart with FIDE rating 2111. Michael plays through the game.
The Masters was held at Lisburn Chess Club over the weekend of 11th - 13th Nov 2022.
We had a full tournament for the Masters. Which was held at the brilliant location of Lisburn Chess Club. Some 40 players battled and played some brilliant chess. We had new faces, regulars, players travelling up from Dublin.
Omagh Rapidplay 3rd Dec 2022 - tournament report by B. Jamison
104 players have now taken part in the NI Rapid Grand Prix, with Omagh the 7th out of 10 tournaments in the series. On 3rd December, 30 players gathered at the Christian Brothers Grammar School on a beautiful Winter’s day. With 2 sections and 6 rounds, players had 25 minutes each per game. It was great to welcome players from far and wide, especially some very talented newcomers!
December 2022 FIDE rating report - 14 more players make a debut
Report by B. Jamison, FIDE National Arbiter The month of November saw a big wave of FIDE-rated events, with 14 players making a debut on the 1st December - 6 classic, 2 rapid and 6 blitz. Very well done to everyone who made a breakthrough
London Junior Chess Championships, Belfast Qualifier 1st Oct 2022
Methodist College series of Monthly tournaments kicked off with the qualifier for the prestigious London Junior Chess Championships. Six rounds of excellent chess.
Eddie Hanzharov wins Gold Coast Blitz with 6/6
On 17th November, Bangor Chess Club held its last FIDE-rated event of 2022, the Gold Coast Blitz.
