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UCU Board extends UCU membership and Club affiliations

With the unusual circumstances with Covid - the feeling with the Board is that indoors face to face chess is unlikely in the near future. And accordingly has decided to extend current UCU membership to the new Chess Year 2020-21.

UCU Board extends UCU membership and Club affiliations - Read More…

Bangor Marina Outdoor Blitz Championship 2020

Bangor Marina Outdoor Blitz Championship 2020

Tournament Report by organiser Brendan Jamison Saturday 12 September from 10am to 12 noon Players travelled from far and wide to enjoy 2 hours of chess in the sunshine and fresh air at Bangor Marina.

Bangor Marina Outdoor Blitz Championship 2020 - Read More…

Lockdown Summer Tournament: weeks 15 - 18

Lockdown Summer Tournament: weeks 15 - 18

With 18 weeks played and into the last 3 weeks of the tournament - we are coming to the end. How do players stand.

Lockdown Summer Tournament: weeks 15 - 18 - Read More…

TITANIC QUARTER OUTDOOR ELITE BLITZ CHAMPIONSHIP 2020

TITANIC QUARTER OUTDOOR ELITE BLITZ CHAMPIONSHIP 2020

A face to face invitational Blitz was held on Saturday 5th Sept. Organised and report provided by Brendan Jamison our fantastic UCU Chess organiser.

TITANIC QUARTER OUTDOOR ELITE BLITZ CHAMPIONSHIP 2020 - Read More…

UCU AGM 2020 - to be held on 19th September.

The UCU AGM 2020 will be held as a virtual meeting on Zoom. On Saturday 19th September 2020.

UCU AGM 2020 - to be held on 19th September. - Read More…

ANNUAL AWARDS  Belfast & District Chess League  August 2020

ANNUAL AWARDS Belfast & District Chess League August 2020

Usually the awards are given out at the award ceremony. But this year our brilliant chess organiser Brendan Jamison has created a mobile award ceremony by visiting the winners homes and hand delivering the trophies - whilst maintaining social distance. A big thanks to Brendan.

ANNUAL AWARDS Belfast & District Chess League August 2020 - Read More…

REOPENING OF BANGOR CHESS CLUB : Sept 2021

REOPENING OF BANGOR CHESS CLUB : Sept 2021

BANGOR CHESS CLUB, Groomsport Parish Halls, County Down The members of Bangor Chess Club plan to reopen in September 2021. A report from Brendan Jamison.

REOPENING OF BANGOR CHESS CLUB : Sept 2021 - Read More…

Sam Livingston RIP

Sam Livingston RIP

Samantha Scott, daughter of Sam Livingston, has informed us that her father died suddenly on Saturday 1st August 2020 at the age of 93.

Sam Livingston RIP - Read More…

This years Ulster Championship postponed to February 2021

The UCU board would like this to be a face to face tournament. With that in mind we have postponed this years Championships. We are targeting Friday Evening to Sunday February 5th - 7th.

This years Ulster Championship postponed to February 2021 - Read More…

Lockdown Summer Tournament: weeks 12 - 14

Lockdown Summer Tournament: weeks 12 - 14

How are the standings after 14 weeks of the Summer Tournament and some 70 games of slow chess.

Lockdown Summer Tournament: weeks 12 - 14 - Read More…

Lockdown Summer Tournament: weeks 10 - 11

Lockdown Summer Tournament: weeks 10 - 11

Another two weeks and some 10 games. We are almost half way through the tournament. Players are still welcome even if they wish just to play a couple of games to get into the practice of long focused chess.

Lockdown Summer Tournament: weeks 10 - 11 - Read More…

Dexter Harris helps Ireland gain 3rd place at the Glorney Gilbert International 2020

Dexter Harris helps Ireland gain 3rd place at the Glorney Gilbert International 2020

Junior international teams from England, Belgium, Wales, Netherlands, Scotland and Ireland. Competed online in different age group sections for cups in the Glorney Gilbert International 2020.

Dexter Harris helps Ireland gain 3rd place at the Glorney Gilbert International 2020 - Read More…

Ulster Youngster selected to play for Ireland in Glorney Gilbert International

Ulster Youngster selected to play for Ireland in Glorney Gilbert International

Youngster Dexter Harris has been selected for the Irish International Under 12 Team to play at the Glorney Gilbert International

Ulster Youngster selected to play for Ireland in Glorney Gilbert International - Read More…

Irish Championships to be held 1st - 9th August 2020.

The Irish Championships will run from 1-9 August in Coláiste Éanna; entries close on July 25th.

Irish Championships to be held 1st - 9th August 2020. - Read More…

July 20th Today is International Chess Day

July 20th Today is International Chess Day

The International Chess Day is celebrated annually on July 20, the day the International Chess Federation (FIDE) was founded, in 1924. The UN have organised a Zoom meeting and invited chess players to join see below for details - starts at 3:00pm (BST).

July 20th Today is International Chess Day - Read More…

Lockdown Summer Tournament: weeks 7 - 9

Lockdown Summer Tournament: weeks 7 - 9

The weekly Summer tournament continues with slow chess of 90mins each on lichess. We welcome new players - some fun and exciting endgames with time being a factor.

Lockdown Summer Tournament: weeks 7 - 9 - Read More…

New National Abiters

New National Abiters

BREAKING NEWS: Northern Ireland has two new FIDE licensed National Arbiters - Mark Newman and Adrian Dornford-Smith. Report from Brendan Jamison - who has been the main driver for getting National Arbiters and training of Arbiters in Northern Ireland.

New National Abiters - Read More…

Lockdown Summer Tournament: weeks 4 - 6

Lockdown Summer Tournament: weeks 4 - 6

The Summer drop in tournament continues. With a couple of new players and plenty of good chess. Read on for results and current scores.

Lockdown Summer Tournament: weeks 4 - 6 - Read More…

Final Standings for the 2020 Childrens Chess Grandprix

Final Standings for the 2020 Childrens Chess Grandprix

With the March Childrens Chess completed we have the final standings for the 2020 Grandprix. The top four of each section usually get invited to Stormont for an award ceremony and Elite Chess Tournament.

Final Standings for the 2020 Childrens Chess Grandprix - Read More…

Navigation
News
Williamson Shield 2026: Storms, Strategy, and a New Champion A report by Chris Dorrian Jan 28, 2026
Chess Players of Carrickfergus and Beyond! The Ulster Chess Union is delighted to have been contacted to share the details of a new club coming in Carrickfergus. Jan 21, 2026
The New Year - Welcome - and Childrens Chess continues at Methodist College : Sat Jan 10th 2026 Young players gathered at Methodist College to compete in the monthly Chess tournaments. Players of all ages from P2 to ... Jan 13, 2026
Christmas and New Year sees the Ulster Blitz Championships 2025/26 Hosted by Fruithill Chess Club, Falls Bowling Club. A brilliant venue and Chess Club. 37 players played a marathon of 18... Jan 03, 2026
One week left to register for the upcoming Ulster Blitz Championship The Ulster Blitz Championship 2025 will be held on Saturday 27th December in Fruithill Chess Club, Falls Bowling Club. ... Dec 17, 2025
More news…
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Upcoming Events
Sligo Chess & Culture Festival Jan 30th - Feb 8th 2026 The Sligo Chess and Culture Festival will have entertainment, social, cultural, and sporting activities, chess talks, wo... Jan 30, 2026 - Feb 08, 2026 — Diamond Coast Hotel, Enniscrone, Ireland
FIDE RATED Coalisland Rapid Championship 2026 Tuesday 3 February Tuesday 3 February 2026, Check-in at 19:50, Please take seats at 19:55, The 5 rounds will be played back-to-back from ... Feb 03, 2026 07:50 PM - 11:00 PM — Washingbay Centre, 92 Ballybeg Road, Aughamullan, Coalisland, County Tyrone, BT71 5DX
U1800 FIDE RATED Jamison Classical Chess Academy 2026 Sunday 8 February 2026 to Tuesday 10 February 2026 Venue:Maxwell Hall, 30 Main Street, Groomsport, County Down, BT19 6J... Feb 08, 2026 - Feb 10, 2026 — Maxwell Hall, 30 Main Street, Groomsport, County Down, BT19 6JR
February 14th 2026 Childrens Chess 12:30 – 5:00 UCU Monthly Schools Chess Tournaments Continues at Methodist College. Feb 14, 2026 12:30 PM - 05:00 PM — Methodist College,1 Malone Rd, Belfast BT9 6BY
FIDE rated Team Match: Northern Ireland v India. Saturday 21 Feb 2026 A Bangor Chess Club initiative, celebrating the outstanding contribution that players from the local Indian community ha... Feb 21, 2026 10:15 AM - 04:30 PM — Queen’s Hall, 13 West Street, Newtownards, BT23 4EN
Upcoming events…