News

Site News
Stephen Morgan wins the 2nd Ulster Cyber Rapid Championship

Stephen Morgan wins the 2nd Ulster Cyber Rapid Championship

On Sunday 12 April, our final onliner kept the chess community buzzing with excitement. Congratulations to Stephen Morgan, crowned champion of the 2nd Ulster Cyber Rapid Championship. He remained totally unbeaten after 14 games which is an incredible feat given the high standard of players out in force.

Stephen Morgan wins the 2nd Ulster Cyber Rapid Championship - Read More…

More Cyber UCU events to play

More Cyber UCU events to play

The Brendan Jamison has organised more fun Cyber events. A slower paced competition on Friday with each playing having a possible 60mins each followed by a Rapid event on Sunday and dont forget the competition tomorrow evening - more details below

More Cyber UCU events to play - Read More…

Muhtarim-El Haque wins the first Ulster Cyber Rapid Championship

Muhtarim-El Haque wins the first Ulster Cyber Rapid Championship

The Ulster Chess Union Cyber competitions continue with the Cyber Rapid Championship. Held on Sunday 5th April.

Muhtarim-El Haque wins the first Ulster Cyber Rapid Championship - Read More…

69 Blitz it out in UCU’s first online event

69 Blitz it out in UCU’s first online event

On Wednesday 1 April, we had 69 locals battling it out in the Ulster Cyber Blitz Championship #001. Report by Brendan Jamison, Ulster Chess Union Tournament Director

69 Blitz it out in UCU’s first online event - Read More…

Ulster Cyber Rapid Championship #001

Time control: 10+5 Sunday 5 April 2020 6pm to 9pm (UK/Ireland time)

Ulster Cyber Rapid Championship #001 - Read More…

SURGE OF LOCAL PLAYERS MAKE THEIR FIDE DEBUT IN APRIL 2020 RATING LIST

UCU Tournament Director Brendan Jamison publishes the lattest FIDE ratings for local players. The UCU having run this year a considerable number of FIDE rated tournaments the number of players with FIDE ratings is increasing.

SURGE OF LOCAL PLAYERS MAKE THEIR FIDE DEBUT IN APRIL 2020 RATING LIST - Read More…

The second in the Alan Burns Lacksidasicals 2020

The second in the Alan Burns Lacksidasicals 2020

The 2020 series of Alan Burns Lacksidasicals continued on the 8th March. A fun afternoon of thoughtful chess.

The second in the Alan Burns Lacksidasicals 2020 - Read More…

Top chess played at Methodist College March 14th.

Top chess played at Methodist College March 14th.

The monthly Chess tournaments held at Methodist College continued on March 14th. Numbers were low but some top players were playing.

Top chess played at Methodist College March 14th. - Read More…

Winter Flexible Tournament 2019-20

This Tournament ended on 16 March , earlier than planned due to the Corona virus. This tournament has been running annually since October 2012, organised and run by Belfast South Chess Club. Recently it was decided that this season will be the last one for the tournament. For the future Belfast South Chess Club is currently looking into providing an open chess forum one afternoon per week at the Quakers in Marlborough Park North.

Winter Flexible Tournament 2019-20 - Read More…

CANCELLATION OF ALL REMAINING UCU EVENTS AND LEAGUES THIS SEASON

CANCELLATION OF ALL REMAINING UCU EVENTS AND LEAGUES THIS SEASON

The below statement by the UCU Tournament Director has been approved by the UCU Executive Board Given the coronavirus peak is not set to hit the UK until the end of May or the month of June, I don’t feel comfortable that we continue to run events over the next 10 weeks

CANCELLATION OF ALL REMAINING UCU EVENTS AND LEAGUES THIS SEASON - Read More…

2020 Irish Junior Chess Championships Postponed

2020 Irish Junior Chess Championships Postponed

Dear chess players, chess parents and the wider chess community, I am very sorry we have had to postpone this year’s Irish Juniors. Please see today’s statement below from the Irish Chess Union. We promise to hold the event later in the year when it’s safe for all the players and their families. Best wishes, Brendan Jamison Ulster Chess Union Tournament Director & League Controller

2020 Irish Junior Chess Championships Postponed - Read More…

UCU Battle Plan to keep our chess players as safe as possible

UCU Battle Plan to keep our chess players as safe as possible

At the time of writing on Friday 13 March, of the 1.88 million people in Northern Ireland, 29 (as at 3:15pm 13/03/2020) have been confirmed with Covid-19. These guidelines are in place based on the facts we have at present. We will send an update if the situation worsens, at which point we may need to postpone chess events and leagues. In the meantime, we are taking these steps....

UCU Battle Plan to keep our chess players as safe as possible - Read More…

Norman McFarland has passed away

Norman McFarland has passed away

It is with sadness that we have lost a keen chess player and friend. Norman McFarland has passed away.

Norman McFarland has passed away - Read More…

Bangor Runs another Brilliant Blitz

Bangor Runs another Brilliant Blitz

Bangor chess club completed its Blitz Tournaments with a well attended FIDE rated event on March 5th 2020.

Bangor Runs another Brilliant Blitz - Read More…

Matthew Turner GM plays Belfast at Simultaneous and wins

Matthew Turner GM plays Belfast at Simultaneous and wins

28 players with a variety of skills and a brilliant range of ages put their intelligence to the challenge of beating the Scottish Chess Champion Matthew Turner GrandMaster. On thursday evening 20th February at the excellent venue of the NICS Pavilion.Would they beat him!

Matthew Turner GM plays Belfast at Simultaneous and wins - Read More…

Navigation
News
UCU Tournaments: A Critical Moment for Volunteer and Arbiter Support This report, prepared by Tournament Director Karina Campbell and presented to the Ulster Chess Union Executive Board, ou... Oct 26, 2025
Exciting changes to the Sligo event in 2026. Now a multi-tournament chess festival. Save the dates in your calender Jan 30th to Feb 8th. The Sligo event is undergoing a major transformation in 2026 from a weekender to a multi-tournament festival. The Sligo ... Oct 16, 2025
The Monthly Childrens Chess Kicks off Oct 25th at Methodist College ** New date ** The LJCC Belfast Qualifier a one day 6 round tournament starts our annual series of monthly tournaments a... Oct 09, 2025
The 2025 Summer tournament ends with a fun tournament and award ceremony Weds 24th September 2025 saw 24 players gather to celebrate the end of the UCU Summer Tournament. Who won? we have the f... Sep 27, 2025
Belfast Qualifier for the British Open Blitz 2025/26 Belfast runs one of 16 tournaments that allow players to qualify for the British Open Blitz tournament. The top player a... Sep 27, 2025
More news…
« October 2025 »
October
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728293031
Upcoming Events
November 1st Childrens Chess 12:30 – 5:00 The monthly schools chess tournaments continues at Methodist College. Nov 01, 2025 12:30 PM - 05:00 PM — Methodist College,1 Malone Rd, Belfast BT9 6BY
FIDE RATED Bangor Club Masters Rapid 2025 [10 rounds of 25+0 over two days] Open to all players. One open section with Intermediate and Junior trophies awarded for highest placed finish by players... Nov 06, 2025 07:30 PM - 10:45 PM — City of Bangor International Chess Club, Church of Ireland Parish Hall, 30 Main Street, Groomsport, County Down, Northern Ireland, BT19 6JR
FIDE RATED Bangor Club Masters Rapid 2025 [10 rounds of 25+0 over two days] Open to all players. One open section with Intermediate and Junior trophies awarded for highest placed finish by players... Nov 08, 2025 10:15 AM - 04:30 PM — City of Bangor International Chess Club, Church of Ireland Parish Hall, 30 Main Street, Groomsport, County Down, Northern Ireland, BT19 6JR
FIDE rated Ulster Masters 2025 Please note due to venue capacity, entries will be capped at 44. Nov 14, 2025 - Nov 16, 2025 — Lisburn Chess Club
National Arbiters (NA) Course and Running Live Boards Nov 15, 2025 - Nov 16, 2025 — Colaiste Wanna, Ballyroan, Co. Dublin
Upcoming events…