News
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.
BREAKING NEWS: Strand Chess Club wins Silver King league Champions 2020
The Strand Club wins the Silver King, the coveted Division 1 trophy awarded to Champions of the Belfast & District Chess League. It is the second year in a row that the mighty East Belfast team has dominated the local chess scene with it’s blend of youth development and top local chess champions.
Winter Tournament - Thompson and Ruben win best game prizes
As the post-Christmas portion of the Winter Tournament gets underway, two best game prizes for the pre-Christmas portion have been awarded.
Newry Rapidplay Report - February 2020
Ulster Rapidplay Chess Championships took place in Newry on February 1st 2020 kindly sponsored by Newry,Mourne and Down District Council.
The first in the Alan Burns Lacksidasicals 2020
On Sunday 12th January chess players met at the Civil Service Pavilion Stormont to enjoy an afternoon of lacksidasical chess. In the first of the Alan Burns four tournaments.
Childrens Chess - fun tournament - 11th January 2020
The second in the series of Childrens Chess took place on 11th January 2020. At Methodist College. Some brilliant games of chess were played.
The Lectures on Openings at Bangor Club Continues
Opening lecture on King’s Gambit this Thursday 30 January with Albert McCarter. 9:15pm at Bangor Chess Club. Everyone welcome. The evening begins with a 6 round mini blitz.
CHESS: Current entry list for Newry: Sat 1 Feb 2020, 10:30am check-in
Ulster Rapidplay Chess Championships in Newry on Saturday 1 February. Both sections will be FIDE-rated. Sponsored by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. The top Rapidplay tournament in Ulster. At the Sticky Fingers Arts Centre, The Imaginarium, Newry
Williamson Shield 2020 - report by Arbiter Andy Boal
A brilliant weekend of chess at a top venue and prizes awarded by Ciaran Madden of Compass Financial Associates Ltd. who are sponsoring the Irish Junior Championships to be held in Belfast this year.
Omagh Rapidplay 2019
Players gathered at the annual Omagh Rapidplay 2019 on Saturday 30th November located at and Sponsored by Christian Brothers Grammar School. With two sections and both tough there was plenty of brilliant Chess.
The Ulster Masters 2019 at Bangor.
For the first time in its history, the Ulster Masters was played outside Belfast this year. The major chess event was run over the weekend of 23rd and 24th November at Saint Columbanus’ College in Bangor.
