News
UCU Simul 2025 to host GM Alex Baburin
The Ulster Chess Union is delighted to announce this year’s simultaneous guest will be none other than Ireland’s only Grand Master, Alex Baburin!
Schools Chess at continues at Methodist College March 8th.
The monthly schools tournaments run by Ulster Chess Union. Continued on Sat March 8th at Methodist College. We had almost 40 students playing top chess and solving some very challenging puzzles.
Chess Masters: The Endgame - Episode 1 10th March 2025
The BBC brings chess back to television with a new series starting Monday 10th March 2025 at 8:00pm BBC2.
Results: Ulster Rapid Championship - 1 March 2025
The City of Bangor Chess Club hosted the Ulster Rapidplay Chess Championships at Groomsport on Sat. 1st March 2025. Organiser and Arbiter Brendan Jamison - continues to run fantastic events at the largest Chess Club in Ulster.
March 2025 FIDE NI Rating Report
By Brendan Jamison Congratulations to 7 more players who made a FIDE rating debut on the 1 March rating list
Childrens Chess Grand-prix standings after February and 3 of the 5 competitions.
We have two competitions left. Saturdays March 8th and April 12th from 12:30pm at Methodist College. So plenty of time to qualify for the Stormont award ceremony and elite competition to be held at Stormont in June.
You don't want to miss this FIDE rapid! It's our biggest Saturday event of the season...
The Ulster Rapid Championship on Saturday 1 March at Groomsport. The entry list so far....
On February 8th Students gathered at Methodist College to Play Chess.
The annual monthly Ulster Chess Union chess tournaments continued on Sat. 8th February 2025. With some 36 youngsters playing some brilliant chess.
February 2025 FIDE NI Rating Report
By Brendan Jamison Congratulations to 7 more players making a FIDE rating debut
Childrens Chess Grand-prix standings after the first 2 competitions.
After the Nov and Jan Childrens Chess tournaments what are the standings for the Grand-prix. With an explanation of the rules.
Chess Activities in Ulster to watch out for.
There are lots of activities happening in Ulster Chess. With great Clubs like Bangor, Lisburn and Downpatrick running events. And of course the standard Ulster Chess Union annual tournaments.
The new year kicked off with the Williamson 2025. 17th - 19th January 2025
One of Ulster Chess Unions oldest tournaments. The Williamson Shield is always a brilliant tournament. Taking place at the excellent venue of the Civil Service Pavilion. Run by National Arbiter Chris Dorrian. With young promising players battling against top older players it was a battle of the generations. Fantastic to see so many young players.
The Monthly Childrens Chess Tournaments continued on Sat 11th January at Methodist College
29 young players came together to play and enjoy an afternoon of chess with a 6 round tournament and challenging puzzle competition.
January 2025 FIDE Rating Report
January 2025 FIDE NI Rating Report By Brendan Jamison Congratulations to 14 more players making a FIDE rating debut
The Ulster Blitz Champions are crowned for 2024/25 at Bangor City Chess Club.
To celebrate a fantastic year of Chess and so many brilliant events. Bangor City Chess Club hosted and ran the Ulster Blitz Championships. Photos and list of the Champions. Many thanks to Edward Khanzharov, Brendan Jamison and Caleb McLean.
The Williamson Shield 2025
The Williamson Shield Returns in 2025.On the 17th - 19th January 2025 Friday Evening to Sunday. The long running Williamson Shield Tournament returns to the Pavilion at Stormont Estate.
Record-breaking numbers at this year's Ulster Blitz 2024/25
Record-breaking numbers of around 60 players are expected at this year's Ulster Blitz as Bangor Chess Club hosts the 18 round blitz extravaganza on Saturday 28 December. We have space to fit a few more players in (as at 10am on Sunday 22 December, but be warned we often get a surge of players trying to enter in the 5 days leading up to event)
Top Young players compete to be Ulster Champion at Methodist College
On the stormy morning of 7th December 2024 top young players gathered. Six rounds of chess to get age group Ulster Champions. We were in for some good chess. At the Annual Schools Individual Ulster Championships. Sponsored by Lisburn Chess Club.
This weekend top young players will gather at Methodist College to compete to be an Ulster Champion
We have over 40 players. Playing on Saturday 7th December in the annual Ulster Schools Individual Championships 2024.
December 2024 FIDE NI Rating Report
By Brendan Jamison November was a massive month for FIDE rated events in Northern Ireland with a total of 7 tournaments held over the past 4 weeks, with 4 classic, 2 blitz and 1 rapid. Congratulations to 12 players who made a debut today.
