News
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
Ulster Cyber Rapid Championship #001
Time control: 10+5 Sunday 5 April 2020 6pm to 9pm (UK/Ireland time)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
Lisburn Chess Club postpones meetings until further notice
CORONAVIRUS SAFETY UPDATE - Lisburn Chess Club postpones meetings until further notice
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....
Norman McFarland has passed away
It is with sadness that we have lost a keen chess player and friend. Norman McFarland has passed away.
Bangor Runs another Brilliant Blitz
Bangor chess club completed its Blitz Tournaments with a well attended FIDE rated event on March 5th 2020.
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!
UCU asks players to avoid hand shakes until end of season
Following advice from doctors, the Ulster Chess Union are asking all players at league matches and tournaments to avoid shaking hands before and after a game.
Sveshnikov Sizzles as Bangor Players Hunger for Opening Theory
Bangor Club continues to give the Ulster Chess World top events. With brilliant opening talk by Danny Robert.
Bangor Blitz 13th Feb 2020
Bangor continues to be more than just a chess club - regularly inviting players to talks and competitions. It held a FIDE rated Blitz on 13th February 2020.
Greenisland buzzes with speed chess extravaganza
Tournament report by Brendan Jamison, National Arbiter 33 players gathered at Greenisland Baptist Church on Saturday 22 February for 10 rounds of thrilling blitz chess. This is the first time the Ulster Chess Union has ever held an event in this area and it was a wonderful success.
Breaking news: Strand 2 win Division 2
Strand were chasing Belfast South in what looked like an impossible mission.... but....
Top Ulster Youngsters playing Chess at Methodist College
On Saturday 8th February 2020 a brilliant chess afternoon took place at Methodist College. Part of the Monthly series of Schools Chess tournaments run by the Ulster Chess Union.
