News
The UCU Summer tournament awards 2024 and fun tournament
On Sept 25th players gathered at Civil Service Pavilion to celebrate the end of the UCU Summer Tournament. The evening consisted of a time based handicap tournament followed by the award ceremony.
The Ulster Championship 2024/25 at Queens University.
The Champions of Ulster Chess were crowned over the Bank Holiday Weekend of August 24th/25th/26th 2024. Hosted by Queens University. Belfast. A brilliant 3 days of top chess.
The Annual UCU Simultaneous - Alex Lopez IM scores 23 1/2 out of 24.
24 players gathered to play Alex Lopez (IM) 2416 rating. At Queens University. All excited and keen to pit their wits against a top class player.
October 2024 NI FIDE Rating Report
The 1st October FIDE rating list covers Northern Ireland tournaments that were held over the past 4 weeks and were rated on 30 September 2024. Please note, yesterday’s UK Open Blitz Belfast Qualifier will be rated on 31 October. Report By Brendan Jamison
New BBC Series looking for chess players
Curve Media in Cardiff, an award-winning TV company, is excited to be in the casting phase of their most recent commission, Chess Masters (working title) for the BBC, where passionate and skilled chess players from all backgrounds will battle it out across a series of rapid chess games before one will be crowned the title of Chess Champion.
Standings in the UCU Summer Tournament with 3 weeks to play.
With 3 rounds left - we check the current standings of the Summer Tournament and repeat the rules for the last 3 rounds.
September 2024 FIDE NI rating report
The 1st September FIDE rating list covers Northern Ireland tournaments that were held over the past 5 weeks and were rated on 31st August 2024. Report by By Brendan Jamison.
Its with fondness we remember William McGrattan who passed just over a year ago.
William was a much loved member of Bangor Chess Club - Captaining their A team and a key member of the club for many years. His love for the game enthused others to play and he was just a brilliant person to share stories and experiences with. Some photos from his friend and fellow fisherman Richard Proctor.
Football, Family activities, Live Music, Live Dancing and Chess at EMSONI Festival.
We were honoured to be invited to the EMSONI Festival on 3rd August 2024 and enjoyed Chess, fantastic company and conversation, live music a brilliant day at the Ulidia Playing Fields Belfast.
The Annual UCU Summer School took place on August 7th/8th/9th 2024
In the brilliant surrounds of the Ormeau Bowling Club in Ormeau park we had 3 days of chess coaching and fun. With tournaments, battle chess, team chess and worksheets. Many thanks to the Belfast Council and Damien Cunningham for organising the use of the venue.
Citi Hosts their annual Charity Chess Tournament 1st August 2024
Players gathered at the Citi Offices on Thursday 1st August to enjoy chess and raise £400 in funds for Air Ambulance Northern Ireland.
Simul with IM Alex Lopex - limited amount of tickets available!
Six tickets available to purchase to take part on Friday 23rd August.
August 2024 FIDE NI rating report
By Brendan Jamison. The 1st August FIDE rating list covers 5 Northern Ireland tournaments that were held over the past 5 weeks and were rated on 31st July 2024.
Naomi Long MLA invites top players for an award ceremony and tournament at Stormont.
With the end of the chess season. Naomi Long MLA invited the top young players who were placed in the 4 top places for the Belfast Scholastic Grandprix - open to all school pupils, run every month at Methodist College. Players Parents, Principal, Teachers, Volunteers and Sponsors were invited for a brilliant morning on Friday 7th June.
The Belfast Megafinal took place on 11th May 2024
We are fortunate to be able to run the Belfast Megafinal where players can qualify for the Delancey Chess Challenge and get to play in the next round the Gigafinals. This is one of the biggest most prestigious schools tournaments in the UK.
Annual General Meeting 2024
2023/2024 season is rapidly coming to a close and with this comes the announcement of the UCU’s Annual General Meeting.
The Ulster Fischer Random Championship took place on Sunday 2nd June.
With 7 rounds of 20mins and 5 sec increments. Each round having a different starting position. We were on to see who would be this years Ulster Champion and Ulster Intermediate Champion for Fischer Random. The event took place at the Civil Service Social Club - one of our best venues.
Fantastic Chess Top prize money and a Brilliant Chess Tournament the City of Belfast 2024
The excellent surrounds of the Civil Service Pavilion played host to the Ulster Chess Union City of Belfast 2024. With some 28 keen chess players gathered to play in two sections, The Henderson Cup and the Nemtzov. 6 games over 3 days. Top players, young talented players and good club players all providing some beautiful chess and chasing a prize pot of almost £700.
May 2024 FIDE Rating Report
By FIDE National Arbiter Brendan Jamison
